It’s National Travel and Tourism Week and state leaders are looking to further promote Mississippi as a destination spot.
According to Danielle Morgan with the Mississippi Tourism Association, tourism was the fourth-largest industry in the state last year with a $7.1 billion economic impact and 24 million visitors. The industry also supported roughly 104,000 jobs and accounted for $749 million in state and local taxes.
“It’s a huge economic driver, but it’s also a way for us to change people’s perceptions about our state and show them who we really are,” Morgan said on The Gallo Show.
In order to advance tourism across the Magnolia State, Governor Tate Reeves signed House Bill 419, authored by representative Becky Currie, R-Brookhaven, which provides funds to destination marketing organizations.
The funds are designed to support advertising and tourism development activities in order to speed up COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts.
“That money goes into those official tourism offices. They take that and they market it,” Morgan added. “It’s just sort of a marketing push in addition to their regular marketing budget to try and help speed up recovery, which has been very successful. We’re excited to get that money in the market.”
Morgan is hopeful that tourism will continue on an upward path in Mississippi and that citizens of the Hospitality State will continue to reap the benefits of visitors spending their money here.
The full interview with Morgan can be watched below.
