Coastal Mississippi celebrates National Travel and Tourism Week

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) -There are nearly 25 million travelers who visit Mississippi each year.

In 2022, more than $7 billion dollars were spent in communities across the state. Of that total, Coastal Mississippi brings in about $2.7 billion dollars. It’s about 30% of the state’s income from tourism.

“Visitors import new dollars that you don’t get otherwise so that’s why it makes a difference for local economies. It generates $7.9 million dollars in tax revenue,” Judy Young, CEO of Coastal Mississippi said.

During National Travel and Tourism Week, Young said Coastal Mississippi will highlight different streams of tourist locations.

“Every day, we’ll be showcasing a different type of visitation through the state co-op that we do. One day will be sports tourism. One day will be fishing, outdoor eco-tourism, Ship Island, Aquarium, IMMS. Then another one with be sports tourism,” Young said.

In 2022, there were close to 28,000 employees working in tourism-driven occupations.

While the numbers for 2023-2024 aren’t finalized, Young notes it’s pulling in the right direction.

“There’s quite a few new hotel properties and that wasn’t estimated to start happening until 2025,” Young said. “We are ahead of the curve there with developments in Pascagoula and developments with the Pass Christian and Bay St. Louis area.”

She also added that an agricultural center will be breaking ground in Hancock County.

Young’s overall message is “Tourism works for you.”

For more information on National Travel and Tourism Week, visit Coastal Mississippi’s website.

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