Gov. Kay Ivey has announced that the Yellowhammer State’s tourism industry is projected to produce more than $24 billion in revenue in 2022.

Ivey made the announcement Tuesday during the Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Auburn. State tourism and hospitality industry professionals were on hand for the annual conference.

During her address, Alabama’s chief executive discussed challenges the robust tourism industry faced stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Ivey, 2021 saw Alabama record its second-best year for tourism-related expenditures.

“Our economic development numbers for last year made 2021 the second-best year in our state’s history,” she said. “Without a doubt, our tourism industry has been and continues to be a major contributor to that fact. While the national industry lost 42 percent of its revenue, Alabama ranked in the top five states for the least amount of revenue lost.

“Our tourists spent a record of almost $20 billion. Alabama was the fourth most-searched state, according to the U.S. Travel Association. As I said in May: We’re just getting started! Folks, today while I am among some of the best in the tourism industry, I want to share something I think all of you will be excited about, but you certainly won’t be surprised.”

Based off projections provided by Alabama Tourism Department Director Lee Sentell, the Yellowhammer State is estimated to generate $24 billion in 2022.

“Barring any unexpected downturns, Director Sentell informs me that Alabama is on trajectory to exceed expectations,” Ivey said. “Based on the adjusted numbers, it looks like your industry is going to exceed $24 billion dollars this calendar year. Twenty four!”

“I am proud to say that in the past 10 years, our industry has more than doubled,” she said. “We have grown from $11 billion dollars in 2013 to more than $24 billion dollars this year. And since I have been governor, I am extremely proud that our tourism industry has grown by $10 billion.”

Ivey said her administration will continue to bolster the tourism industry.

“These are the kind of results that are taking Alabama flying at full speed ahead,” she 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 a thousand percent to supporting the tourism industry and to the work that each and every one of you do.”

Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL