By Alabama Public Radio
Florence, AL – Bill Hardman, president and C-E-O of the Southeast Tourism Society, says a major topic at the group's board meeting will be trying to develop a long-term strategy for recovery and discussing short-term goals, including seeking federal funds to help promote the coast. The 2004 hurricane season left some Gulf Coast hotels and motels so damaged that they never reopened. Then the 2005 season inflicted more damage than the region had ever seen. Most government revenue for tourism promotion comes from state or local lodging taxes on hotels and motels. But with many hotels and motels shut down, taxes from tourism promotions aren't coming in.