Visit Tuscaloosa Named Tourism Organization Of The Year By Alabama Tourism Department

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Visit Tuscaloosa on Friday announced that it has won the Alabama Tourism Department's Tourism Organization of the Year for 2023.

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Visit Tuscaloosa received the prestigious honor in August at The Grand Hotel in Point Clear during the Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism.

During the 2022 calendar year, Visit Tuscaloosa reports that visitors spent $895 million in Tuscaloosa County during the 2022 calendar year, which marks a 19.5% increase from the previous year.

“I am beyond excited for Visit Tuscaloosa to be recognized with this prestigious award," Visit Tuscaloosa President & CEO Kelsey Rush said. "Our team is passionate about sharing the spirit of Tuscaloosa County and work day-in and day-out to create a harmony of quality of place for our visitors and quality of life for our residents,” said Rush. “I am proud of our team and their efforts that led to this award, as well as the partners that help make Tuscaloosa the community that it is.”

The honor marks the first time Visit Tuscaloosa has won the Tourism Organization of the Year award, which has been given annually since 1998.

Despite this being the first time to win the honor, they agency was recognized in 2007 and 2011 as the Tourism Partnership of the Year

Additionally. Jasmine Rainey, who currently serves as director of tourism, was given the Rising Star award in 2019.

Visit Tuscaloosa says hosted or contributed to 94 events in 2022, which is up from 55 the previous year.

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