Tourism officials in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach reported severe losses during the summer of 2010 following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, according to a WKRG report published that November.
The report said Baldwin County’s coastal tourism industry estimated a half-billion-dollar hit, with summer indicators down more than 41 percent. Officials said reduced lodging traffic also affected restaurants, shops and other local businesses.
Tourism leaders said they were looking toward the next season and hoped winter visitors would help spread the word that the beaches were open and recovering.
This is a historical summary of 2010 estimates and local reaction. It is not a current tourism or economic report.