Travelers spent $86 million and were responsible for 1,087 jobs last year in Dallas County, according to a report conducted for the Alabama Tourism Department.

The numbers were released earlier this year and represent a 30.4 percent increase in traveler spending on hotels, restaurants, shopping and transportation.

Estimates show that statewide the tourism industry grew by 7.3 percent with more than 24 million visitors spending $11.8 billion last year, according to the report by Auburn University Montgomery.

“Alabama offers tourists many areas of our state to enjoy,” said Governor Robert Bentley. “The tourism numbers for 2014 show that Alabama welcomes many people to our state. Money spent on travel creates jobs, grows local economies and generates needed tax revenues.”

Tourists’ dollars also provided a boost in both direct and indirect travel-related employment for the state. The state’s travel-related employment increased 2.1 percent from 2013- 2014.

In Dallas County, travel-related employment went up from 1,015 to 1,087. Travelers spent $86 million. Every $104,692 of travel expenditures creates one job in the state.

Selma-Dallas County tourism director Ashley Mason said the rise in both travel-related employment and tourism dollars is great for the city.

“Dallas County has great tourism opportunities,” she said. “We’re growing. I think the numbers for 2015 will be even higher.”

Mason is also impressed by Dallas County’s lodging tax increase, which jumped up 30.4 percent. The increase put $61,097 extra dollars into the pocket of the county.

“I know every person who stays in a hotel was not a tourist, but for the lodging tax to have that significant increase is really great,” she said.

Mayor George Evans said he is pleased with the city’s tourism development, and believes tourism will grow even more.

“I’m very pleased,” he said. “I’m sure we’ll get even more tourism as the summer goes on. I just see it getting better and better, as we do more for our city.”

The top five counties with the greatest travel-related expenditures are Baldwin County with $3.5 billion in travel-related spending, Jefferson County with $1.7 billion, Madison County with $1.08 billion, Mobile County came in fourth with $998 million and Montgomery County was fifth with $723 million.