ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
April • 2022
PLAN YOUR NEXT TRIP
TO ALABAMA’S BEACHES GULFSHORES.COM • ORANGEBEACH.COM
RESPONSIBLE TRAVELER ADVERTORIAL
Find Relaxation, Adventure, and Fun on Alabama’s Beaches Are you longing to dig your toes in the sand and feel the waves wash over your feet? Or maybe you’re looking to get out and experience the natural wonders of the Coast. Perhaps you’re searching for unique experiences and memorable adventures. You’ll f ind all of this and more on the beautiful beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Our destination is the ideal spot for an extraordinar y beach vacation. Located on the Alabama Gulf Coast, the area boasts over 32 miles of gorgeous sugar-white sand beaches, perfect for playing or relaxing. You’ll be in beach mode f rom the moment you arrive until your final minutes here. While the beaches are incredible, they aren’t the only reason to visit our two communities. The area offers plenty to do, see, and eat. You’ll find endless entertainment with exciting attractions and activities that all ages will enjoy. Get wild at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, make a big splash at Waterville
USA, or shop until you drop at The Wharf. The fun doesn’t stop there either—countless watersports are available, including jet-skiing, paddle boarding, fishing, kayaking, and even more water activities like boating, sailing, and cruises. There are so many ways to reconnect with the natural beauty surrounding you. The iconic Gulf State Park is the ultimate spot for those wanting to immerse themselves in the great outdoors. Inside the park, you’ll find over 28 miles of trails perfect for biking, hiking, and running through nine distinct ecosystems found throughout the park. You might even spot some of the local wildlife. Guided Segway tours are also available and provide a unique way to explore the park and learn about its environment. If you’re looking for even more exciting ways to check out the area, embark on a dolphin cruise or go on a charter f ishing excursion for a one-of-a-kind adventure. Our
two communities offer various signature experiences that will allow you to encounter the destination in unique and unforgettable ways. Be sure to bring your appetite when you visit. While here, you’ll also enjoy the excellent meals, delectable desserts, and novelty drinks that make up the unique taste of the Alabama Gulf Coast at any of the area’s more than 200 restaurants. Fresh Gulf seafood, mouthwatering burgers, and irresistible desserts are just a few of the delicious eats you’ll f ind. To complement your meal, choose from a variety of drinks, including locally brewed beers, hand-crafted cocktails, and coastal specialties such as the Bushwacker. Not only are the food and beverages incredible, but so is the dining atmosphere. With waterf ront dining, live music, and amazing views of the Gulf, dining out here is unparalleled. Whether it’s feeling the waves wash over your feet, biting into
a delicious meal as you overlook the water, or riding a bike along the beach, memories are waiting to be made on Alabama’s beaches. Start planning your next trip to Gulf Shores and
Orange Beach and get ready to relax, indulge, and explore our stunning white-sand beaches. GulfShores.com OrangeBeach.com
IMAGES © COURTESY OF GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH TOURISM
Marriott, Airbnb, Others See Global Travel Rebounding in 2022 Marriott and Hilton, two of the biggest U.S. hotel chains, told investors they expect people to resume packing their bags for business and leisure this year at rates not seen since before the pandemic. Hotel and other travel-related companies delivered rosy outlooks in their quarterly results, citing rising vaccination rates and falling COVID-19 cases in the United States after the winter surge of the Omicron variant. Countries also lifted travel restrictions, including Canada, which eased entry for fully vaccinated international travelers in February. Marriott International Inc’s and Airbnb Inc’s latest quarterly results topped Wall Street estimates, while Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc’s revenue nearly doubled. Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano told investors that group cancellations increased late last year and this year due to Omicron. Now, cancellations have slowed,
and new group bookings are gaining momentum. Wynn Resorts CEO Craig Billings said that customers at its Las Vegas resort are “spending again with a vengeance.” “2021 was the recovery year, and 2022 will push past COVID and become a strong growth year for the sector,” said Jamie Lane, vice president of research at vacation rental research firm AirDNA. In January, AirDNA recorded about 58,000 new short-term rentals in the United States, the most added since the start of the pandemic, and the number is growing daily, Lane said. AirDNA data also shows a 35 percent increase in short-term rental nights booked in the United States in January 2022 from the same period in 2019, and a 12 percent increase from 2019 globally. Omicron-related disruptions to Hilton’s business bookings were largely contained to the first quarter of 2022, with most events rescheduled
for later in the year, Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta told investors. The hospitality company expects group business bookings to accelerate through the rest of 2022. Similarly, online travel agency Expedia Inc. reported that bookings have “strongly rebounded” since the Omicron surge.
LONGER STAYS
With many workers embracing the flexibility that comes with permanent remote work, Airbnb said people have been using its short-term rental site to book longer stays. Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky shared that about half of the nights booked in the fourth quarter were for stays of one week or longer. “People are spreading out to thousands of towns and cities, staying for weeks, months or even entire seasons at a time,” Chesky said. “People are less tethered to an office, so they
PASSENGERS LINE UP AT JOHN F. KENNEDY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT © REUTERS/DIEU-NALIO CHERY
can now live anywhere.” Erin Francis-Cummings, CEO of tourism market research firm Destination Analysts, said the rosy outlook for travel is “not a short-term blip,” adding the shift to longer
stays is likely to be sustained. She cautioned, however, that future COVID variants and surges could dampen the outlook, even if just temporarily. (Source: Reuters)
ADVERTORIAL
Pick Your Perfect Vacation in Ellijay The snow is melting, the sun is shining, and it’s the perfect time for a spring vacation that indulges all your senses in the beauty of nature. Ellijay, GA, has the best of both worlds: a charming, small-town way of life and a variety of food and drink choices that rival big cities. Located between Atlanta, GA, and Chattanooga, TN, Ellijay is best known as Georgia’s Apple Capital, but this idyllic location has more than apples to share. Live music, car shows, festivals, and antique shops are just a few of the exciting things you can find in Ellijay, and with an exciting array of food, drinks, and outdoor activities, you’ll find something for every kind of adventure. Start planning your perfect spring getaway with these mustvisit spots in Ellijay.
INDULGE YOUR TASTE BUDS
Eat like a local for every meal! Best known for their freshpressed juices, Green Goddess Avocado Toast, and Buddha Toast
WINE ALL DAY
ALL PHOTOS © OUTLIVE CREATIVE
topped with almond butter, figs, and strawberries, Zen & Juice is the perfect breakfast spot. For an afternoon pick-me-up that will impress the toughest of coffee lovers, Ellijay Coffeehouse is the place to be. With their warm staff, craft coffees, and browseworthy book and game shelves, it’s no wonder that this hangout spot is known as a “local living room.” When dinner rolls around, visit The Roof of Ellijay for modern takes on classic Southern Cuisine. Perched atop a historic building in Beautiful Downtown Ellijay, The Roof makes expert use of local ingredients in their cooking.
Their Wild Oyster Mushroom Meatloaf features ingredients sourced directly f rom Ellijay Mushrooms, a family-owned sustainable mushroom farm. If you prefer to cook up farmf resh meals at your vacation home, the Mountain Valley Farm Store is the perfect place to find Georgia-Grown provisions like grass-fed beef, local meats and cheeses, and much more.
AN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Gilmer County is known as Georgia’s Mountain Biking Capital and is home to
awesome mountain biking trails like Bear Creek Trail. Find a like-minded community with the top trail recommendations at Cartecay Bike Shop, known for their mountain bike classes, top-of-the-line biking attire, and exciting Saturday Social Rides. Ellijay is just as fun on the water as it is on the land! With three rivers (The Ellijay, the Cartecay, and the Coosawattee) and Carters Lake (Georgia’s Deepest Lake), Ellijay is the perfect destination for kayaking, tubing, and boating! Bring your family for a whitewater adventure or relax on the Cartecay River.
Ellijay is a quickly rising wine destination. Since Cartecay Vineyards was founded in 2007, Ellijay has welcomed six vineyards to the area, with over four more area vineyards opening in the years to come. Looking for a vineyard that lends itself to making picture-perfect memories? Chateau Meichtry’s tasting rooms and rentable villas are reminiscent of the French countryside, while Buckley Vineyard’s sleek tasting room has an ultra-modern feel. Ott Farms and Vineyards features firepits, sloping hills, and wines like “Worth the Wait” that will make you feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie. Prefer cider to wine? Reece’s Cider Company, new in 2021, is the first to bring hard apple cider to Georgia’s Apple Capital. Their flagship creations are reminiscent of sweet, sparkling apple wine with the perfect golden hues. End your night out at Cartecay River Brewing, located right on the riverside, where you can find awesome local music on the regular.
From winery tours to small town adventures, refresh your spirit this spring by vacationing in this Georgia destination that’s as wild or relaxing as you want it to be. Plan your trip today at gilmerchamber.com
