Blackburn Institute

Gulf Coast Travel Experience: A Fellow’s Perspective

March 11, 2010

By Anna Foley

The travel experience to Gulf Shores coupled with the trip to Bayou La Batre allowed me to better understand how two adjacent communities that are similar in landscape and natural resources can face completely dissimilar political and social issues. After visiting Bayou La Batre on the first part of the trip and seeing the struggles of an impoverished small town, Gulf Shores was a stark contrast. The population of this vacation community alternates throughout the year. During the summer, it is frequented by short term vacationers, and during the winter, the “snow birds” come to spend half the year in their second homes. We had breakfast with the mayor and discussed how the city accommodates its wealthy citizens as well as its working class. There are few permanent residents in comparison to the amount of visitors, and as a result, the local government has a unique and fluctuating population to serve.

The economy is primarily founded on revenue from tourism, and the decline in the overall economy has taken a toll on Gulf Shores. Representatives from the two major real estate companies spoke with us about the challenges they face in their market during the tough economic times. We had dinner with local business leaders and learned that the money generated in Gulf Shores contributes greatly to Alabama’s economy. It is important for the state that efforts continue to further develop the economic potential there, and measures are being taken to bring in a more continuous flow of guest from throughout the state and country. Our time in Gulf Shores exposed me to the political and economic logistics of a tourist town and allowed me to understand how it plays a role in the overall well being of the state.

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