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DESTINATION OVERVIEW

Name

The Alabama Gulf Coast is comprised of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Cities in addition to the unincorporated area of Fort Morgan. However, our nicknames include Alabama’s Beautiful Beaches, Pleasure Island, or simply The Island.

Description

Our 32-miles of sugar-white beaches are stretched along a 30,000 acre island on the northern most coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Sand dunes covered in sea oats and brilliant blue waters are the norm on the coast while inland areas feature live oaks and pines. Freshwater lakes, rivers, bayous and coves add nearly 400,000 acres of protected water to the area.

Within this picturesque setting, the City of Gulf Shores spans approximately 31 square miles while the City of Orange Beach covers about 13 square miles.

According to a 2007 estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 10,000 people reside in Gulf Shores while Orange Beach has about 6,000 people.

Location

We are located at the southernmost tip of Alabama between Mobile, Alabama, (which is 50 miles to the northwest in Mobile County and Pensacola, Florida, (which is 35 miles to the east in Escambia County). Easily accessible from Interstates 65 and 10 in addition to the Beach Express, our geographical borders include the Intracoastal Waterway on the north, the Gulf of Mexico on the south, Mobile Bay on the west, and Perdido Bay on the east.

Approximate Mileage from Other Cities

• Atlanta, GA - 370
• Baton Rouge, LA - 252
• Birmingham, AL - 274
• Houston, TX - 518
• Huntsville, AL - 369
• Jackson, MS - 276
• Little Rock, AR - 573
• Louisville, KY - 658
• Memphis, TN - 489
• Nashville, TN - 450
• New Orleans, LA - 214
• St. Louis, MO - 632

Climate

Alabama’s beaches offer a pleasant climate with warm summers and mild winters. Sand castles do not freeze with an average winter temperature in the high 50s while our sugar white sand (and surrounding areas) averages mid 90s in the summer.

Airports

• Jack Edwards Airport in Gulf Shores, AL (private airport)
• Mobile Regional Airport in Mobile, AL
• Pensacola Regional Airport in Pensacola, FL

Population

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2006 population estimate for Gulf Shores was 8,814 while Orange Beach had 5,519 residents. Meanwhile in 2006, Baldwin County had an estimated 169,162 residents, ranking it as the seventh largest county in the state.

Lodging

With more than 15,000 units available along the Alabama Gulf Coast, we are certain to have the perfect room with a view for you. The selection of rooms varies greatly and includes hotels, motels, and condominium in addition to cottages and campgrounds. Rental rates are lowest during the fall and winter months. Accommodations may be located via our search page.

Statistics

The AL Gulf Coast CVB maintains a comprehensive selection of statistics and research to assist you. Items, such as visitor profile history and economic updates, are posted on www.agccvb.org/stats.

Welcome Centers

The AL Gulf Coast CVB operates two Welcome Centers. One is located on the west side of State Highway 59, just before the Intracoastal Waterway. The second is situated on the north side of State Highway 182. During the summer season (Memorial Day to Labor Day), these Welcome Centers are open daily (including weekends) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. During the other months of the year, the centers are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends. The Welcome Centers are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

CVB’s Accreditation

In June 2008, the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) recently became the first destination marketing organization (DMO) from the state of Alabama to be accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP). The CVB joins a limited number – that will near 100 by the end of 2008 – of other accredited organizations throughout the nation and nearly 30 other countries.

DMAP is an international accreditation program developed by Destination Marketing Association International, which is a membership-based organization with more than 650 destination marketing organizations (DMOs) - which are sometimes called convention and visitor bureaus or tourism boards - in nearly 30 countries. Program applicants are judged on a wide range of criteria, such as finance, management, human resources, technology, visitor services, group services, sales, communications, membership, brand management, destination development, research/market intelligence, innovation and stakeholder relationships. Once a company receives accreditation, it joins an elite group of DMOs committed to industry excellence.

Founded in 1993, the Ala. Gulf Coast CVB is the official destination marketing organization for the areas of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan and is charged with the mission of promoting this area as a year-round vacation destination designed to provide economic prosperity and a better quality of life for residents and visitors. With 24 full-time and 8 part-time employees, the CVB has a $5 million budget, which is funded by 2 percent of the 11 percent lodging tax.

For more information on DMAP, visit www.destinationmarketing.org.

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