How will the new airport help Gulf Shores tourism?

[Dustin Turner]

Gulf Shores/Orange Beach investors; I have a question for you. How do you think the expansion of Jack Edwards airport will help tourism (and our short term rentals)? 

For those that don't know, AirDNA says Gulf Shores is the 8th best large market to own a rental property, with annual revenue potential over $99,000. Gulf Shores Alabama gets 6+ million visitors a year and an incredible 92% of those tourists drive there...because the nearest airport is an hour away.

The small airport in Gulf Shores is building a new control tower, which will completed in July and open in September. They're working on getting a low-cost carrier to fly directly into Gulf Shores. This will be the first time commercial flights have been available into Gulf Shores. My understanding is there will be direct flights from cities like Dallas, Nashville, Atlanta. 

What have y'all heard? What kind of impact do you think it'll make on tourism? Anyone else excited about this?