Tammy Hiest of the Alabama Mountains and Lakes Association (AMLA) discussed the economic impacts of tourism with the Cullman Chamber of Commerce (COC) Friday afternoon.

Founded in 1964 the AMLA represents 16 counties across North Alabama.  It is their mission to not only highlight events and attractions, but also to provide council to local officials on ways to increase tourism within the region.

“Dick Ordway [founder of the AMLA] had the idea that we would do better as a region than we would separately.  And we have seen this to be true.  When you think about what we call ‘snowbirds’ you typically think of them as vacationing to Florida or Gulf Shores, but what research shows us is that when people are travelling they will typically stop at the 8 hour mark to stay the night somewhere.  And the Cullman falls right into that window.  So when we are pushing events in South Alabama, we are really fighting for you guys as well.” Hiest said.

Hiest has been involved with the creation of several of North Alabama’s location trails including the Hallelujah Trail and the Bass Trail which include destinations within Cullman.

A particularly successful creation which Hiest had involvement was the North Alabama Wine Trail. Though attendance was high, owners of the seven wineries were not seeing the full extent of the potential revenue due to out of state visitors being unable to buy wine and ship it back to their homes.

After a visit to the wineries and vineyards by Alabama State Senator Garlan Gudger and other Alabama lawmakers provided by the AMLA to display these concerns a bill was adopted that would allow small farm wineries producing under 50,000 gallons to now be able to sell their products across state lines.

“After that was passed we held an event at 3rd Circle Cellars which is the last stop of the trail, and within two hours they had sold over $10,000 worth of wine. So that is what tourism and us working with these officials can do for you guys.” Hiest says.

With plans in the works for a Patriot Trail and Agricultural Trail to be added later this year, Hiest says that she has every intention of utilizing Cullman’s potential of being a center of tourism in the region.

“You guys have such great people here, and in my experience when you have that combined with the beautiful rich history and the foundation in faith that’s here.  That is something to be proud of.” Hiest says.