It’s National Travel and Tourism Week across the country and in Mississippi.
Tourism is the fourth largest industry in the state and employs over 87,000 people with direct jobs in Mississippi.
“We really enjoy National Travel and Tourism Week,” said Craig Ray, Executive Director of Visit Mississippi. “It gives us as a state the opportunity to come together once again with all of our tourism partners to celebrate all of the travelers that visit our state.”
National Travel and Tourism Week occurs every first full week of May and was first celebrated in May 1983, as President Ronald Reagan signed a Proclamation urging all citizens to observe the week.
Ray said they are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the week by hosting tourism celebrations at each of the 13 welcome centers in the state. In addition, they are highlighting several of the museums in the state that have just recently opened like the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience in Meridian, along with the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.
Below is a list of events taking place across the state in celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week.
Adams County Welcome Center
Natchez Visitors Reception Center
640 S Canal St
Natchez, MS 39120
Thursday, May 10 – Popcorn served to tourist. Refreshments courtesy of Darby’s Fudge shop and Holiday Inn Express from 11am-2pm. Exhibits available for viewing.
Friday, May 11 – Popcorn served to tourists. Grilled hot dogs courtesy of Tony with Pat Harrison Waterway from 11-am-2pm. Exhibits available for viewing.
Saturday, May 12- Mississippi Specialty items will be given to tourists for the last day of National Tourism/ Travel Week. Refreshments courtesy of Murphy’s Meringue. Exhibits available for viewing.
Alcorn County Welcome Center
2028 S Tate St
Corinth, MS 38834
Thursday, May 10, 2018 – Mississippi Hat pins will be given out to travelers who sign on our daily visitor sheet on hidden designated lines.
Friday, May 11, 2018 – Mississippi hat pins will be given out to travelers who sign in on our daily visitor sheet on the hidden designated line.
Saturday, May 12, 2018 – Travel Information bags will be available with travel and packing tips which will also include the 2018 Mississippi Map, 2018 Mississippi Tour Guide, and brochures on the local and surrounding area as well as a brochure from each region of the state. Mississippi Specialty Items gift bag will be given out to the last tourist of the day to sign the register. This will wrap up our 2018 National Travel & Tourism Week.
Delma Furniss Hospitality Station Activities
8600 US Hwy 49
Lula, MS 38644
Thursday, May 10, 2018: Behind the Scenes/Introduction to Moon Lake Walking Trail-Local businesses and community leaders will be invited out to learn information about Clarksdale. Also, they will be given a 2018 Mississippi Tour guide, which lists a printed CVB/tourism list.
Friday, May 11, 2018: A PowerPoint video/Mississippi Trivia from the weekly recap of activities will be placed on display in the lobby for guests to view. Light refreshments will be served.
Saturday, May 12, 2018: Meet and Greet with the Ladies of the Welcome Center Travelers will have a chance to come out and meet the ladies who work behind the scenes of making tourism happen.
Woodville Hospitality Station
853 US Hwy 61 South
Woodville, MS 39669
Friday, May 11, 2018, Mississippi Tobacco-Free Coalition of Pike, Amite County.
Saturday, May 12, 2018 Cookies complimentary from Mammy’s Cupboard, Natchez, MS
Itawamba County Welcome Center
10075 Hwy 78 East
Tremont, MS 38876
Friday, May 11 – MDOT 8:00—10:00 Michelle Williams
Whitten Center 1:00—3:00 Eric
Master Gardeners 10:00—12:00 Bonnie Gholston
Saturday, May 12 – Holly Springs CVB 9:00—12:00 Tanesha
Hancock County Welcome Center Activities
I-10 and Highway 607
Pearlington, Mississippi 39572
Friday, May 11, 2018: From 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., the Hancock County Senior Center will demonstrate arts & crafts, The Retired Senior Partnership will give out information and serve cookies. Complimentary popcorn and lemonade will also be served.
Saturday, May 12, 2018: Complementary popcorn, cookies, and lemonade will be served. We will give out Mississippi Specialty Items.
Jackson County Welcome Center
I-10 West Bound, Exit 75
Moss Point, Mississippi 39562
Thursday, May 10 – Popcorn courtesy of Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast served to tourists. Coffee bar from IP Casino Resort in Biloxi. Hilton Garden Inn in Pascagoula and DoubleTree by Hilton in Biloxi representatives. Various Mississippi items will be given away.
Friday, May 11 – Popcorn courtesy of Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast served to tourists. Displays and goodies from Beau Rivage Casino Resort in Biloxi, Hilton Garden Inn in Pascagoula and Home2Suites in D’Iberville. Mabel & John from MS Retiree Partnership with retirement information. Various Mississippi items will be given away.
Saturday, May 12 – Popcorn courtesy of Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast served to tourists. MS Gulf Coast National Heritage Area and Hilton Garden Inn in Pascagoula displays. Various Mississippi items will be given away.
Lauderdale County Welcome Center
I 20 W & 59 South
Toomsuba, MS 39364
Thursday, May 10 – LALA Enterprises will serve refreshments to the traveling public.
Friday, May 11 – Hotel Hospitality Day. Local hotels will provide refreshments and information to the traveling public from 1 – 3 p.m.
