Tourism Bureau marks 20th anniversary

The Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau celebrated its 20th anniversary Thursday with a luncheon featuring Alabama Tourism Department Director Lee Sentell as the guest speaker.

At the event, held at the Auburn University Hotel, those who were invited either “touch or are touched by tourism in some way” in the area, Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau President John Wild said.

The local tourism bureau promotes tourism in the Auburn-Opelika area, where, on an average day, more than $700,000 is spent, including more than $70,000 in shopping, Wild said.

The tourism industry in the Auburn-Opelika area employs more than 4,800 people, making it the second largest employer behind Auburn University, he said.

The Auburn-Opelika area has a hand in promoting state tourism as well, Sentell said. “Ya’ll certainly were big players in our campaign on Alabama food,” said Sentell, an Auburn University graduate.