The Yellowhammer State, according to the newly released 2022 Alabama Tourism Economic Report, has quickly become a major tourist destination for Americans.

Which, in turn, means increasing revenue for the state.

In fact, revenue generated from tourism in Alabama has doubled over the past decade -going from $10.6 billion in 2012 to a record $22.4 billion in 2022. This major increase in revenue has led experts to believe that more than 28.6 million people visited Alabama in 2022.

Gov, Kay Ivey has touted the increase in revenue and reassured Alabamians of her continued commitment to tourism and travel within the state.

“These are the kind of results that are taking Alabama flying at full speed ahead,” Ivey said. “I’ll leave you with this: As we head into the next four years, I assure you that you have a governor who is committed 1,000% to supporting the tourism industry and to the work that each and every one of you do.”

Travel and tourism to the state also helps everyday Alabamians by creating around 238,741 jobs. For every $139,041 of revenue generated through tourism, 1 new job will be created.

It has also generated $1.3 billion of state and local tax revenue, saving each household in Alabama approximately $685, according to the report.

The report showed that Baldwin County, Jefferson County, Madison County, Mobile County, and Montgomery County saw the most visitors in 2022, representing 71.3% of visitors to the state.

The report said the overall impact of travel and tourism in the state during 2022 earned Alabama an estimated $7.4 billion.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.