A record 1,900 people participated in the Alabama Tourism Department’s April Walking Tour this spring.
According to information released by the state tourism department, 32 towns across Alabama hosted tours. Towns with the most participants included Florence with 240, Fairhope with 210 and Columbia with 196.
Troy and Brundidge participated in the April Walking Tours for the first time. The Troy walking tour was hosted by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce and the Brundidge walking tour was hosted by studio 116 and the Brundidge Historical Society.
Kathy Sauer, Chamber president, said between 38 and 40 people participated in Troy and 28 in Brundidge.
“We are off to a good start and many people are asking about a self-walk and other tours,” Sauer said. “With enough notice, the Chamber and its partners can accommodate small group walking tours of the commercial areas of Troy and Brundidge and walk-by tours of the historic College Street homes in Troy.”
Any groups interested in participating in a walking tour may make arrangements by calling the Chamber office at 334-566-2294.
The April Walking Tours were coordinated by Brian Jones with the Alabama Tourism Department.
“Alabama is the only state to hold these statewide, simultaneous walking tours,” Jones said. “More than 22,000 people have participated in the tours since the beginning of the program 11 years ago.
“The success of these walking tours is all about the efforts of the local tourism offices and chambers and they do a phenomenal job.”
Sauer said towns of all sizes are invited to participate in the April Walking Tours. Towns wishing to sign up for the 2015 April Walking Tours may do so by sending an email with the town’s name and starting location to brian.jones@tourism.alabama.gov.