The Alabama Tourism Department will take to the streets of Dallas to show people what a trip to Alabama’s Gulf Coast could be like. Park-goers can take a mini-vacation on Saturday, August 25th from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. as they experience what it is like to parasail over the turquoise waters and sugar-white sands of Alabama’s beaches, all while remaining only a few feet off the ground on a virtual reality simulator in the center of Klyde Warren Park.
“We love to bring some of Sweet Home Alabama’s magic to the unsuspecting tourist,” said Lee Sentell, director of the state’s tourism department. “Everyone’s looking for that perfect vacation; the kind where you return refreshed and rejuvenated. The sugar-white sands of Alabama can be your perfect vacation, whether your goal is to lie on the beach or experience an adventure on the surrounding bays and lakes.”
Adventurers walking under a parachute canopy will be treated to a beach scene and invited to take a seat on a device that simulates what it would feel like suspended under a parasail. When riders slip on a pair of virtual reality goggles, they are instantly transported to flying over Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, with a custom-designed chute streaming above emblazoned with “Sweet Home Alabama.”
“The heatwave Dallas has been experiencing makes Alabama’s beaches the perfect location for a fun escape like this. Relaxing with your toes in the crystal clear Gulf, a breeze blowing and the hypnotizing sounds you only find at the beach will make memories of the Dallas heat a thing of the past,” said Herb Malone, president and CEO of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. “Not only does the interstate take you right from Dallas to Alabama, but there are several non-stop flight options from Dallas to the nearby Pensacola International Airport. The ease of getting to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach makes our area a great beach option for Dallas residents.”
The Dallas activation experience is a complement to the award-winning “Take It All In” campaign, aimed at educating potential tourists about what truly makes the Alabama Gulf Coast a place you can take in all the sights, sounds, smells, flavors and sensations.
