Business Quarterly, July 2016 – 1 From the editor Why a tourism issue? Editor David Tortorano y first introduction to the not forget our Gulf Coast was in the early snowbirds. Writers/editors 1970s when I took a break Sure, those of us Connie Baggett M from my studies at the University of who live here can Tim Boone Robert Buchanan Alabama in Huntsville. I took in the get frustrated with Charlotte Crane beaches in Florida and South Ala- the increase in Duwayne Escobedo bama, and enjoyed sightseeing along traffic, but we un- Matt Irvin U.S. 90 in Biloxi in the days before derstand it all. We David Tortorano Tom McLaughlin casinos. And then there was New Or- have a lot to offer Lisa Monti leans and it’s old European look. visitors. It’s a land of natural wonders Jane Nicholes Later, my wife and I honeymooned with its beaches, rivers and forests. Rhoda Pickett at Panama City Beach, Fla., and we And we have plenty of man-made Melissa Scallan really didn’t want to leave when the attractions. Martha Simmons Cindy West time came to return to work. When I Tourism organizations, under- had an opportunity in the mid-80s to standably, promote their own area, Photographers work in the Pensacola bureau of UPI, and we thought it was time someone Bruce Graner we jumped at the chance. It was what take a broader view of an area that’s Michelle R. Thomas we saw as tourists that brought us to so closely tied together. this region to stay. Since we’re a new publication, Graphics We still enjoy traveling. We’ve we’re still building and it’s taking Thom Dudgeon been to the West Coast, Canada, the time for folks to get to know us. So I Rudy Nowak Midwest and the Northeast and other want to take this opportunity to thank Ron Stallcup parts of the Southeast. There are other the handful of advertisers who like places we’d eventually like to visit. what we’re doing. We couldn’t prom- Administration But whenever we get the bug to do ise them a vast readership or “clicks,” Pamela Baker Judith Rojeski a little bit of traveling without going only that we would tell stories no- Gloria Tortorano far away, we find ourselves being body else is telling. tourists in our own backyard. Wa- So for that, a special thanks to Gulf This magazine is available as kulla Springs, Fairhope, the casinos in Power, the Santa Rosa County Tour- a free PDF download. Mississippi, Dauphin Island, Seaside ism Development Office, Bellingrath Printed versions are - the sites and locations are varied and Gardens and Home and Infinity Sci- available at Lulu.com, a print on demand service each offers its own memorable ex- ence Center. Sometimes you just back based in Raleigh, N.C. perience for locals and visitors alike. something that you think is needed. If We focused on tourism in this issue you like what you see, please take a All rights reserved because it’s one of the pillars of this moment to let them know. region’s economy. It takes off in the That said, I hope you enjoy this is- Copyright © 2016 by Tortorano summer months, but it’s a year-round sue, and that you make the Gulf Coast Commissioned Publications/ phenomenon. Reporters’ League Business Quar- Gulf Coast Reporters’ League Our region gets a lot of out-of- terly part of your reading routine. Cover photo of Gulf Islands towners through conventions, visits Now let’s pack our stuff and hit the National Seashore (Gulf Coast by family and friends and others who road. Reporters’ League photo); design by Thom Dudgeon. just want to see what’s here. And let’s □□□ Business Quarterly, July 2016 – 2 Contents Tourism overview The Gulf Coast relies on visitors who come to experience everything from beaches to casinos and more, and after suffering through some tough times because of hurricanes and oil spills, it appears the region is on the mend and could have a banner year. 5 History Science From ancient Indian With a host of mounds to famous science centers in battlefields and the the region, it’s towering stands that actually a pretty tested moon rockets, smart way to have the Gulf Coast is a a good time while treasure trove that learning neat stuff honors the past. 8 in the process. 24 Seashore Gardens It’s 160 miles of Picturesque public protected, pristine gardens and homes beach off the coast dot the region and of Florida and provide dreamy Mississippi, and retreats from the when you add state hustle and bustle of parks to the mix the everyday life in the region is a natural Gulf Coast. 48 paradise. 38 Casinos Haunted South Mississippi is The region has the known for its most haunted city casinos, but it’s not in the nation, but alone. Louisiana also that’s just the start has them, and thanks in an area that also to Native Americans, has a ghost hearse Alabama can also bet and a river that on a good time. 54 sings. 59 Business Quarterly, July 2016 – 3 Business Quarterly, July 2016 – 4 Tourism - overview Street dancing in New Orleans’ Jackson Square. GCRL photo Is tourism banner year in the works? urricanes, a massive derful beaches to national and state forests and from oil spill, the Great historic sites and rivers to rafting, golf, kayaking, Recession: The last scuba diving, fine dining and more. decade or so has dug But what is far harder to find is something that Hsome pretty big potholes along the looks at the region as a coherent, multi-state vacation Interstate 10 tourism corridor. retreat. The variety is dizzying, and combined makes Now, however, tourism along for a multi-day or multi-week adventure. the central Gulf Coast appears to Martha Simmons But just how big is it? be on the road to recovery, with some areas reporting record gains last year and tour- ‘Really, crazy good’ ism officials predicting even better views on the hori- Though Hurricane Katrina looms large in the pub- zon for 2016. lic’s memory as a killer storm delivering a knockout It’s easy to find information about tourism in every blow to the Gulf Coast’s economy, Northwest Flor- area along the Gulf Coast. Tourism offices span the ida beaches took tourism licks well before that, when region and tell you about everything from the won- hurricanes Ivan (September 2004) and Dennis (July Business Quarterly, July 2016 – 5 Tourism - overview Pensacola Beach, Fla., is just one of the popular beaches in the Gulf Coast. GCRL photo 2005) destroyed much of the region’s lodging inven- than flying,” Harper said. “All of those things point tory. The destinations didn’t recover until after the towards a Northwest Florida market – primarily drive recession and the oil spill took their toll as well, ac- -to, family-oriented, value destination.” cording to Rick Harper, vice president of the Univer- sity of West Florida and director of UWF’s Office of ‘Unprecedented’ Economic Development and Engagement. Alabama beaches are experiencing similar upticks But the attractions west of Florida’s Big Bend are in tourism numbers. now rounding the economic bend and stepping on the “Over the last five years our area has been blessed gas. Harper predicts that 2016 is on pace to be a re- with unprecedented tourism growth,” Herbert J. cord-setting year for Northwest Florida tourism, cit- Malone, president and CEO of Gulf Shores & Or- ing lower gas prices and the economic recovery as ange Beach Tourism, said in the group’s 2015 annual primary drivers. report. “Year after year we are seeing increases in Tourist traffic in Northwest Florida this January visitors, in visitor spending and in the number of jobs through March – typically a weak period – was up in our local tourism industry. And the best news is over the previous year, and hoteliers report advance the expanding growth of our shoulder seasons, which bookings for the peak season that kicked off on Me- will enhance our year-round economy.” morial Day were “really crazy good,” Harper said. Things are looking up even more in 2016. In May, “Clearly, because of higher household incomes – Malone reported to tourism summit attendees that take-home pay is increased when gas prices are rela- first-quarter beach lodging was up more than 17 per- tively low and it’s cheaper to vacation – Florida is cent and retail sales up almost 10 percent from the benefitting from this,” Harper said in a May eco- previous year. Ongoing enhancements to the Gulf nomic report for UWF. “The jobs market is also im- State Park promise to add to the region’s national and proved. So as unemployment falls and people have international reputation, he said. more job opportunities, they may be more comfort- Increased tourism in Baldwin and Mobile counties able with their opportunities to take a vacation.” bodes well for state coffers, as well, since the Gulf Terrorism attacks elsewhere in the world may also Coast region accounts for about 40 percent of all be a factor. “Given uncertainties elsewhere in the tourism dollars and attendant state sales taxes. world, people may be taking more domestic vaca- State tourism officials reported that 6.1 million tions this year and even more driving destinations tourists visited the Alabama Gulf Coast in 2015 com- Business Quarterly, July 2016 – 6 Tourism - overview pared with 5.7 million in 2014, and spent 10 percent licking at delicate marshlands nearby just five years more money than the previous year.