Over 29 million tourists spent $24.9 billion in Alabama in 2025

Tourists in Alabama spent $1 billion more than in the previous record-breaking year of 2024, reaching a new record of $24.9 billion in 2025.

Around 29.2 million tourists vacationed at Alabama beaches, hotels, state parks and campgrounds in 2025, setting records for the fifth year in a row, according to Gov. Kay Ivey. Spending in Alabama has increased by almost $1 billion each year over the past five years, bringing the new record to $24.9 billion in a single year.

The hospitality industry generated $4.6 billion in direct earnings, with total impact earnings exceeding $8.2 billion. The state’s eating and drinking establishments accounted for more than half of the jobs in 2025. The food industry created 53 percent of the positions, with overnight accommodations providing 22 percent, the study revealed. Entertainment provided 12 percent of jobs, and general retail contributed an additional 6 percent.

The five counties of Baldwin, Jefferson, Madison, Mobile and Montgomery attracted the largest numbers of travelers. More specifically, 72.4 percent of the total number of travelers chose one of the top five counties as their destination.

The amount spent in the state has climbed for 14 of the past 15 years, only falling in 2020 during the height of the COVID pandemic. Over a decade ago, tourists spent $11 billion in one year, less than half the amount spent in 2025, State Tourism Director Lee Sentell said.

The travel industry directly benefits the state’s total economy, tourism officials said. State law mandates that three-quarters of the 4 percent State Lodging Tax goes directly into Alabama’s General Fund, which the Alabama Legislature provides for services to all state residents. In 2024, about $88 million was generated by tourists, which benefited all residents of the state, officials said.

Over 29 million tourists spent $24.9 billion in Alabama in 2025

Mobile winning ‘war on litter,’ says company charged with keeping waterways clear

By Brendan Kirby

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Then-Mayor Sandy Stimpson declared a war on litter in 2014.

A little more than a decade later, Jack Bates says the city is winning.

Bates, senior field manager with the Osprey Initiative, told FOX10 News that the company’s litter collection passed the 100,000-pound mark a couple of years ago.

“We’re not seeing as much litter here now, but we also implement tactical cleanups throughout the watershed, in lieu of our traps to kind of help with those main, major rain events, so the traps aren’t getting as full,” he said.

Since the company first began trapping litter, Bates said, it has removed 171,096 pounds, or 71,253 cubic feet. He said the company was able to recycle 23,239 pounds.

The Osprey Initiative first started clearing litter from creeks and streams in Mobile in 2017. The city pays $500,000 a year for the service.

The most visible component is the network of traps – dubbed “litter gitters” – that aim to prevent trash from reaching the Dog River and Three Mile Creek watersheds.

It has come a long way since 2017, when Bates built his first trap with chicken wire and pool noodles. Now in its sixth generation, the litter gitter is made of metal and attached to pontoons. Currently, the company has 12 in Mobile.

Bates said he has seen his fair share of unusual items mixed in with run-of-the-mill litter – everything from drug paraphernalia to basketballs – even a four-wheeler that had been submerged except for one tire.

Today, the Osprey Initiative is covering a bigger part of the city than ever, yet is collecting less litter. Bates attributed that to a combination of a more litter-conscious public and improved collection techniques.

“In the beginning, we were (seeing) mats and mats and mats of litter coming down the river. … We’re definitely seeing a decrease, visibly and through our data,” he said.

Crews were out this week in canoes removing the gathered debris by hand. Bates said that in addition to pro-active efforts to find litter upstream to prevent it from reaching the traps, the company also patrols Dog River.

Dog River Clearwater Revival, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the watershed, helps fund the purchase of litter traps. Executive Director Evelyn DeAngelo said progress over the past decade has been remarkable.

“It has made such a huge improvement,” she said. “But it’s because it wasn’t just a single project. It’s not just about the litter gitters that are in the river. It’s been a broader project of making sure the community is educated about what happens to litter when it’s on the ground and as it moves through the watershed.”

The Osprey Initiative has experienced significant growth from its humble beginnings. Bates said the homegrown Mobile company now operates in 26 states and has done work in Canada and Mexico.

The Dog River Clearwater Revival, meanwhile, recently raised $15,000 to purchase its seventh litter gitter. DeAngelo told FOX10 News that she is waiting for permitting from the Army Corps of Engineers. She said it will go near Halls Mill and Demetropolis roads, where there’s been an uptick in litter.

“It’s taken a little bit longer than we’d like, but we’re excited for when it does come in,” she said.

Mobile winning ‘war on litter,’ says company charged with keeping waterways clear