What makes people want to visit Alabama?

That's what state tourism officials are asking themselves.

"Alabama the Beautiful" is known for its agricultural background, rich history and southern hospitality.

And state tourism leaders want to build on those assets.

"Tourism is over a billion dollar industry, it employs over 160 thousand people just in the Dothan area. It employees over 37-hundred people. It brings in 216 million dollars just to the Dothan area,” said Bob Hendrix with the Dothan Area Convention & Tourism Bureau.

Every year, the state tourism department has quarterly meetings all over the state.

On Wednesday officials stopped in Dothan.

This technique not only allows them to discuss various destinations and attractions.

They also get to experience them first hand.

"There's always new attractions, of course there's the battleship Alabama that's here, the Robert Trent Jones golf trail which is the number one attraction, botanical gardens is here, there's all kind of new attractions around the whole state that are coming on strong,” said Hendrix.

Last year alone tourism was up four percent in Dothan, and around five percent in the entire state.

After the BP oil spill in 2010, the state expected tourism to take a major hit. However…

"Not only did we bounce back from the oil spill, but we actually set a new record year,” said Herb Malone with the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism.

Tourism leaders can't stress enough the importance of tourism and economic impact it brings to the state.

"Tourism is economic development and it creates jobs. It provides tax revenue for not only city and county local governments, but also for state governments. It’s important for Alabamians to know we have those revenues coming in to education our children and provide our quality of life.

State tourism officials are still working on a website called Travel.Alabama.

Once it's finished, folks from around the state will be able to post pictures and details about Alabama’s attractions.

They're hoping that site will also influence people to visit.