State Expenditure Plan #2: Development of a Regional Strategic Plan for the Coastal Alabama Region
Implementing Organization
Alabama State
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$666,375
Known Leveraged Funding
$75,000
Funding Organization
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council
Funding Program
The RESTORE Act Funds Bucket 3: Spill Impact Component
Details
Project Category
Recreational Use
Project Actions
Tourism Development and Promotion
Targeted Resources
Other
Project Description
This project will showcase coastal Alabama’s ecotourism opportunities in the Mobile Tensaw Delta by developing and implementing a marketing brand supported by an online resource directory for tourists. This project will focus on: expanding eco-tourism and reinforcing education opportunities, developing an inventory for “Place-Based” tourism in Mobile and Baldwin counties, a collaborative branding campaign to foster growth in tourism, promote natural assets through creative economy initiatives, improve regional connectivity and mobility, and foster the food scene through culinary arts initiatives.This project is a result from the Coastal Alabama Partnership’s Regional Strategic Plan, initiated in 2014. This earlier effort sought to identify opportunities to strengthen and diversify the local economy using input from involved citizens, businesses and leadership in each community. A key component to this campaign is the development of an inventory and assessment of ecotourism opportunities in both counties, including identification of potential voids in the market. The resulting marketing campaign will integrate this inventory to publicize the resulting “brand” developed by the project. The marketing approach will utilize (but not be limited to) signage, online marketing, and paid advertising. These actions will not only expand eco-tourism and education opportunities but also assist in combating the negative perceptions created due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and help restore and enhance the Gulf Coast economy.
Contact
NoneNone
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Project Website
Coastal Alabama Partnership
None