Gadsden, AL- Indicators like the number of events, participants, and hotel occupancy have shown growth over the last year. Year to date occupancy is up 8.5% with projections showing this trend to continue. According to the Etowah County Tourism Board, Gadsden’s continued riverfront development is bringing more visitors to Etowah County. 

Fishing continues to be a strong draw to the Coosa River with the Alabama Bass Trail hosting their 2018 Championship at Coosa Landing. High School Fishing Tournaments are increasingly using Gadsden’s waterways to host many events on Lake Neely-Henry. 

The Black Creek Trails, with its 13-plus miles of hiking and biking trails, is bringing in more outdoor recreation to the area. The Etowah County Tourism Board is pursuing bringing bigger mountain bike races to the Black Creek Trails at Noccalula Falls Park and Campground. 

Last, The Venue at Coosa Landing, opening at the end of the month is hosting more events and expos and will enable the community to attract statewide events, leading to further increases in occupancy and greater tourism opportunities throughout Gadsden. 

More and more people are choosing to come to Gadsden to spend their time and money. When Gadsden invests in our natural assets and develops them into high-quality attractions, others are noticing and making Gadsden a prime attraction. “As you can see by the growth of tourism in our community, our plan to develop the Coosa Riverfront, Black Creek Trails and City Facilities is working and bringing people from all over to Gadsden,” said Mayor Sherman Guyton.