Media Contact:

Mary Sergeant • Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
[email protected] • GulfShores.com/Media
1-800-745-SAND • 251-974-4605 (direct) • 251-509-3832 (cell)

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – On Friday, May 3, Herb Malone, president and CEO of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (CVB), announced the CVB’s new Signature Experiences at the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber’s First Friday Forum. These experiences are the products of a nine-month experiential tourism initiative conducted by Joe Veneto from Veneto Collaboratory.

“Over the past year, several of our industry partners have worked tirelessly in collaboration with our staff and Mr. Veneto to create wonderful new Signature Experiences for our locals and guests,” said Malone. “This is just another testament to the hard work and dedication our local businesses put in every single day to ensure that more people continue to choose Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for their yearly vacations.”

This announcement also marks the beginning of the CVB’s celebration of National Tourism Week, which takes place May 5-11. In 2018, Baldwin County welcomed an estimated total of 6.5 million visitors that left behind nearly $4.8 billion in tourism-related spending. That is compared to 6.4 million visitors and $4.4 billion in spending in 2017.

“Tourism is the lifeblood of our economy on Alabama’s beaches,” said Malone. “We see it as a great honor that families and friends from around the country, and the world, choose to spend their hard-earned dollars, and even more precious, their quality time, in our destination.”

In honor of National Tourism Week, locals and visitors are invited to visit the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Welcome Centers to learn more about the Signature Experiences and what’s new in the destination. There will be opportunities to win prizes throughout the week as well.

Below are descriptions for each Signature Experience:

1. Guided Pier Walk - Gulf State Park Nature Center
   Description: Experience firsthand the biodiversity of the Gulf of Mexico as they journey down the Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier with one of the park’s expert naturalists.
   Launch date: April 2019
   Price: Free 
2. Angler Academy - Gulf State Park Nature Center
   Description: Take part in a hands-on beginner’s workshop to saltwater fishing. Join one of the state park experts at the Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier to learn all of the tools and rules of pier fishing on the Gulf.
   Launch date: June 2019
   Price: $15; free for children 5 and under
3. Espionage at Mobile Point - Fort Morgan
   Description: “Captured” as a Civil War spy before the Battle of Mobile Bay, use cyphering and creativity to crack the code, find the plans and save the day in this one-hour escape room.
   Launch date: Fall 2019
   Price: $25 for ages 13 and up
4. Animal Enrichment Program - Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
   Description: Join a zookeeper to learn how they care for a variety of animals. Then, make an enrichment item for some of the zoo’s residents to have in their environment, and watch as they interact with your creation
   Launch date: May 2019
   Price: $20 per person, in addition to regular zoo admission
5. Kangaroo Encounter - Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
   Description: Hop on into Kangaroo Crossing the meet the red kangaroos for some unforgettable moments as the zookeeper shares interesting, educational facts.
   Launch date: May 2019
   Price: $7 per person, in addition to regular zoo admission; tax additional
6. Lemur Encounter - Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
   Description: Meet Madagascar’s most endangered species up-close in their habitat at the “Little Zoo That Could.”
   Launch date: May 2019
   Price: $14 per person, in addition to regular zoo admission; tax additional
7. Sloth Encounter - Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
   Description: Learn about the behaviors and diets of one of the slowest animals in the world with one of the zookeepers. If they are awake, you might get to feed them.
   Launch date: May 2019
   Price: $14 per person, in addition to regular zoo admission; tax additional
8. Tamandua Encounter - Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
   Description: Tamanduas are native to Central and South America and related to the anteater. Learn about this unique, friendly animal with one of the zookeepers.
   Launch date: May 2019
   Price: $14 per person, in addition to regular zoo admission; tax additional
9. Bath Boldly - High Cotton Bath Company
   Description: Customize and create chemical-free bath, body, home or pet products with a variety of scents and product bases at these fragrant-filled classes.
   Launch date: May 2019
   Price: $20+ per person
10.  Gumbo Love Cooking and Mixology Class - Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s
     Description: Learn the art of creating LuLu’s world-famous gumbo from one of the expert chefs. Then, hop behind the bar and learn to mix three   of LuLu’s most popular cocktails.
     Launch date: Fall 2019
     Price: $45 per person
11.  Chef’s Table - Orange Beach Concierge
     Description: Enjoy an intimate and upscale dining experience focused on locally-sourced, high quality product, fresh seafood and meats with   local chef David Pan.
     Launch date: May 2019
     Price: $75 per person (without wine); $125 per person (with wine)
12.  Reel Surprise Charters
     Description: Embark on a fun-filled four- or six-hour fishing trip while an expert captain and crew provide you with all of the instructions, gear   and equipment needed for a memorable day on the water.
     Launch date: May 2019
     Price: $65 per person (four-hour); $95 per person (six-hour)
13.  The Dolphins and Wildlife Kayak Experience - Wild Native Tours
     Description: Whether you’re a novice or veteran kayaker, this three-hour excursion is perfect for anyone who wants to explore the beauty of the   waterways along the Alabama Gulf Coast.
     Launch date: May 2019
     Price: $65 for adults; $55 for children, seniors and military
14.  LEEDing the Way at The Lodge: Lemons to Lemonade - The Lodge at Gulf State Park
     Description: The Lodge at Gulf State Park is seeking the highest level of environmental certifications in the world, making it a pillar for   sustainability along the Gulf Coast and around the world. Get a behind-the-scenes look at this unique and extinguished establishment.
     Launch date: TBD
     Price: TBD

To learn more about the Signature Experiences, visit GulfShores.com/Signature-Experiences. And, for more information on Alabama’s white-sand beaches, visit GulfShores.com.

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Photo and Video Gallery:

Link: https://gsob.co/ExperiencesGallery
Credit: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism

About Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism:

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism serves as the official destination marketing organization for the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in addition to the unincorporated area of Fort Morgan. To learn more about Alabama’s 32 miles of white-sand beaches, visit either GulfShores.com or OrangeBeach.com. This convention and visitors bureau is an accredited Destination Marketing Organization.