Houston County tourism is seeing growth, according to Visit Dothan. Executive director Hannah Shiver told the Houston County Commission that hotel revenue totaled approximately $52.2 million in 2025, representing a 1% growth from the year prior.
The largest driver of hotel stays was sports tourism. More than 66,000 room nights were booked for more than 80 sporting tournaments, resulting in nearly $20 million in direct economic impact.
“These visitors are staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants and supporting local businesses throughout the county,” said Shiver.
Industry projections show nationwide tourism growth, and Shiver said that at the local level, tourism is expected to remain stable.
With Dothan’s new state-of-the-art 25-court pickleball facility, officials hope to bring in even more sports tourism.
“It’s incredible to know we’re building a premier pickleball facility—not only for our local players but for the thousands of enthusiasts who will travel here from across the region,” said Dothan Leisure Services director Billy Powell. “This gives us the opportunity to host everything from local league play to major tournaments, which will bring new visitors and their economic impact to Dothan.”
Shiver said that, based on similar developments across the region, the facility could have an impact of around $4 million on the economy. The county has partnered with Auburn and other regional entities to host three tournaments in 2026.
“We’re very excited,” said Shiver. “It will bring tremendous impact to the area.”
Visit Dothan is continuing to promote tourism online, generating around 3 million digital views last year.
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