Video: New Albany Tourism Initiative

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NEW ALBANY, Miss. (WCBI) – New Albany City officials are serious about boosting their tourism initiative.

In order to increase tourism in New Albany that will add up to dollars rolling into the local economy, New Albany officials are re-inventing their economic wheel. A new spoke in that rolling wheel, marketing director Sean Johnson. New Albany Mayor Tim Kent thinks they have their man.

“But we wanted someone with the specialty of tourism and marketing director that can promote New Albany. You know, whether it be events or what have you. We just want somebody that can pull more events into New Albany, and it the end bring in more tourism tax dollars,” said Kent.

“Get it up to where it really truly showcase all the community has to offer. New Albany not only have a beautiful downtown, but its got great parks system. Its location is you know a great location right on the future I-22. We are just an hour and 10 minutes south of Memphis,” said Johnson.

Visitors arriving  in the Union County town have a lot to see and enjoy.

“So we make a great destination for them. We have lot of antique stores in New Albany. Bed and Breakfast so it’s a good weekend away plus the tennis courts here. Tennis facility has just won some awards. I’m excited about promoting that,” said Johnson.

Having been successful in Tupelo, Johnson is eagar to take on marketing another area.

“He’s won several awards for that city and he has won several personal awards. So we feel like he is just what we need here in New Albany,” said Kent.

“There are other things we have in the area. We’ve got indian mounds out in Ingomar and we have a museum here. The Union County Heritage Museum that takes students out there and they show them the area. I mean we are a representative community of the North Mississippi hills and so we have a lot to work with here,” said Johnson.

The Tanglefoot Trail which starts in New Albany is considered one of those tourism assets. It is set to officially open September 21st.