It may have been due to safety concerns regarding cartel violence in Mexico or guests preferring the family atmosphere on Alabama's beaches. Spring of 2026 also saw the influx of visitors being able to book flight directly to Gulf Shores airport on Allegiant Airlines. Whatever the reason, spring break has been an overwhelming success for the community.

The governing leaders of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have banned spring break drinking on the beach for more than a decade. During recent years they have watched other southern beach towns suffer from unruly crowds and un-permitted events. Those towns gained a reputation which slowed their tourism during the remainder of the year.

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It appears that the local Mayors and City Council members were correct in implementing those spring break rules. A decade after the bans began, the business has only grown and the problems are few.

Local business owners have raved about their 2026 spring break revenue and stated the customers were very family oriented.

The remainder of the year is planned to set records with sport tourism and family oriented events. Then there is the first full year of local airline travel, which has already shown promising results.

Gulf Shores International Airport has regularly announced new direct flights by Allegiant Airlines. Tourist coming to the beaches can fly in from Nashville, Iowa, Wisconsin and 10 other nonstop flights. The airport served 76,675 passengers in 2025 in the first six months of operation. With the new routes and airline marketing the passenger count is expected to grown exponentially.

The "Family Friendly" word is spreading and local business, as well as property owners, are the beneficiaries.