Officials: Recession could be a lot worse for Gulf Coast tourism industry - Breaking News from the Press-Register - al.com

Officials: Recession could be a lot worse for Gulf Coast tourism industry - Breaking News from the Press-Register - al.com: "POINT CLEAR, Ala. -- The slow economy hit Alabama's $9.6 billion tourism industry, but hard work and innovative marketing efforts kept the effects from being as bad as the impact in other areas, state and local travel officials said Monday.

The 2009 Alabama Governor's Conference on Tourism concludes today at the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort Spa and Golf Club. About 250 state and local tourism officials, along with business owners and others, have been working on ways to promote visits to areas in Alabama, such as the Gulf Coast."