National Travel, Tourism Week Kicks Off Across Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. (Press Release) — On Saturday, May 3, the state of Mississippi will join the nation in celebration of the 31st Annual National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW). The annual initiative highlights the industry’s economic impact and draws attention to the diverse offerings of tourism products across Mississippi. The state’s 13 Welcome Centers and tourism partners around the state will be hosting activities to commemorate the occasion.

“National Travel and Tourism Week is Mississippi’s opportunity to recognize the tremendous contribution the industry has on our nation’s economy,” said Malcolm White, director of Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Division. “Travel and tourism is one of the most reliable generators of jobs at all levels of the American economy, particularly here in Mississippi. The activities planned around the state this week will demonstrate the powerful role of travel in our communities and show our ongoing efforts to tap into Mississippi’s cultural assets to attract visitors and to encourage residents to enjoy the activities available right here at home.”

From film projects to golf tournaments, Mississippi’s tourism industry is thriving. According to the Fiscal Year 2013 Economic Contribution Report published March 2014, the state’s 21.6 million visitors spent $6.25 billion in Mississippi, up from $6.16 billion in FY2012. Those visitor expenditures produced $630 million in state and city/county tax revenues. For every $1 spent on advertising and marketing, Mississippi receives $6.46 in return. As the state’s fourth-largest private sector employer, the travel and tourism industry generates $2.74 billion in payroll income from 115,000 direct and indirect jobs.

To continue to spread the word about the importance of tourism, the state’s Welcome Centers will be hosting a number of promotions, such as giveaways, displays from area attractions, food samples and more throughout the week. Specifically on Wednesday, May 7, each Welcome Center will host Tourists Appreciation Day. Activities will vary, but some will include: Meet & Greet events with local tourism officials, live entertainment, pottery demonstrations, homemade treats and specialty item giveaways. (A complete list of Welcome Center events is attached.)

Convention and visitors bureaus and other tourism partners around the state will also be participating in NTTW with their own set of activities. Following is a sampling of some of the events scheduled in Mississippi:
The Yazoo County Convention and Visitors Bureau will host a booth at the Jerry Clower Festival on May 3. Festival goers can stop by to spin the wheel for a prize and to sign up for the bureau’s e-newsletter. http://visityazoo.org/

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau will greet visitors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 5-9 at the Hancock and Jackson County Welcome Centers and at the Biloxi Visitors Center. http://www.gulfcoast.org/
The Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce/Main Street/Tourism Bureau will host “Ocean Springs Day” on May 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Jackson County Welcome Center. They will also promote their “totally local” campaign with Ocean Springs Currency/Pelican Pounds. http://www.oceanspringschamber.com/

The Corinth Area Convention and Visitors Bureau will join the Alcorn County Welcome Center in hosting “BBQ & Blues” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on May 7. http://corinth.net/
The Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau will “Look Around Jackson” during special familiarization bus tours on May 9. The tours will help locals and visitors learn more about area attractions. http://www.visitjackson.com/

The Hattiesburg Convention and Visitors Bureau invites visitors to “Picnic with Hattie” on May 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hattiesburg Visitors Center. http://www.hattiesburg.org/

The Greenville-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau will meet and greet tourists at the Washington County Welcome Center throughout the day on May 9. http://www.visitgreenville.org/

The Holly Springs Tourism and Recreation Bureau will sponsor “Travel & Tourism Appreciation Day” on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Courthouse Square. http://www.visithollysprings.com

Across Mississippi and the nation, travel employs a diverse workforce, from airline and hotel employees, to restaurant, attraction and retail workers, as well as supports employees in other industry sectors such as construction, manufacturing and finance. Travel also promotes physical and physiological health and improves workplace productivity. In 2013, the average U.S. employee skipped 3.2 days of paid time off. According to a recent study, if workers used all of their available paid time off, the U.S. economy would gain $160 billion in additional annual business sales, which would support 1.2 million new jobs and generate $21 billion in new annual tax revenues. If employees would take just one additional day of earned leave each year, it would add $73 billion annually to the U.S. GDP.

“It is now empirical, rather than just anecdotal, that travel is a key driver for improving individual health and strengthening our businesses and economy,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, the umbrella organization representing the U.S. travel industry. “Travel holds measurable benefits for our minds, bodies, relationships, businesses and economy. Travel should be celebrated every day.”
For more information about travel and tourism in Mississippi, visit www.VisitMississippi.org. Or contact MDA’s Tourism Division at 601.359.3297 or 1.866.SEE.MISS.