By LeiLani Golden - bio | email
ALBANY, GA (WALB) – The Albany Welcome Center has achieved the top designation for visitors' centers.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development upgraded the center to a level 5 Regional Visitor Information Center.
To qualify for the designation, the welcome center had to undergo an extensive application process and meet several requirements. One of those requirements is more than 10,000 visitors annually, which the center met and exceeded.
"We had over 40,000 visitors," said Lisa Riddle, the Convention & Visitors Bureau Director. "This fiscal year to date we're at 60,000 visitors."
Albany Area Visitors Bureau President Catherine Glover explained a little known fact about tourism.
"Our area, Dougherty County," says Glover, "ranks in the top 90% in the entire state as far as tax relief per household as it relates to tourism dollars."
The designation means the Albany welcome center is now eligible for $5,000 in funds from the state.
The center will also be listed on the official Georgia Tourism website and travel guide and official signage directing visitors to the center will be provided by the department of transportation.
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