Alabama tourism is strutting its stuff in the Big Apple this week.
The state’s Tourism Commission is setting up a series of events and displays to promote Alabama in New York City. Today, the state will officially unveil an eight story tall billboard of Little River Canyon. The display will be located about half a block from Madison Square Garden.
Alabama Tourism Director Lee Sentell says the point is to get people talking about the state.
“We do it to get attention, to make people talk about Alabama, to make them say ‘Gosh, I didn’t know Alabama had a beach.’ Last year, we had a half-ton of sand from Gulf Shores, where people could sit in a chair, sip a cool drink, and have fans blowing like they were at the beach.”
Earlier in the week, Alabama tourism officials took over a brew pub to promote Alabama craft beers. A Mobile area Mardi Gras float was also set up on Broadway where New Yorkers could get beads and Moon Pies that are typically thrown to crowds on Fat Tuesday on the Alabama coast.
Alabama’s tourism industry generated close to fifty million dollars in lodging taxes last year.