By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — On Monday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R-Ala.) announced she would be awarding $10 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funds to support Alabama's Tourism Industry Recovery Program.

"The tourism industry around the world has been one of the hardest hit during this ongoing health crisis, but in Alabama, we remain committed to remind those around our state and country that we are open for business," said Ivey. "We look forward to helping our tourism industry grow, come back stronger, and welcome visitors for years to come." 

The Tourism Industry Recovery Program will use the allocated funds to jumpstart the state's tourism economy after the pandemic shuttered its doors earlier this year. The funds will aid an effort to communicate that Alabama is "a destination for responsible travel and that venues are taking necessary steps to keep visitors safe." 

COVID-19 has caused an unprecedented catastrophe worldwide for tourism. According to McKinsey & Company, in 2019, tourism made up 10 percent of global GDP and was worth almost $9 trillion. The study also stated that the tourism industry was unlikely to see pre-pandemic levels of spending before 2024.