MISSISSIPPI TOURISM ASSOCIATION

Great things are happening at Mississippi Tourism Association and we would love to have you join us in our mission! For more info about MTA membership, reach out to Jennie Guido or Danielle Morgan.

We welcomed our new President, Rickey Thigpen, PhD, and executive board leadership this month. We are excited to have this great team leading the charge of carrying out our mission to unite all sectors for the tourism industry through advocacy education and promotion. MISSISSIPPI TOURISM ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES  2024-2025 EXECUTIVE BOARD LEADERSHIP The Mississippi Tourism Association (MTA), the state’s voice of tourism for over 35 years, is pleased to announce its elected board of officers for 2024-2025. ·       Dr. Rickey Thigpen, President & CEO - Visit Jackson: MTA President ·       Laura Beth Strickland, Executive Director - Visit Vicksburg: President Elect ·       Kurt Allen, President & CEO – Mississippi Aquarium: Vice President ·       Paige Hunt, Director of Tourism – Visit Starkville: Secretary/Treasurer Greater Starkville Development Partnership ·       Christy Burns, TMP, Executive Director - Visit Corinth: MTA President In addition to executive board leadership, the MTA Board of Directors is comprised of three members from five regions throughout the state, as well as three at-large positions. President Dr. Rickey Thigpen said, "Tourism is a crucial economic driver in Mississippi, weaving together the state's cultural heritage, natural beauty, and hospitality to create a tapestry of experiences that captivate and enrich visitors from around the world. As the President of the Mississippi Tourism Association, I am excited to continue a tradition of excellence and economic vitality for our great state. Mississippi Tourism is proud to boast that it is the state’s fourth-largest employer, generating $7.5 billion in visitor spending in 2023. Last year, this activity saved each Mississippi household $663 in taxes while providing approximately 105,000 jobs for Mississippians. The Mississippi Tourism industry is committed to utilizing collective ambition as its strategy resulting in an enhanced quality of life for our citizens and a sense of place for visitors.” “Tourism is a vital multi-billion-dollar industry for Mississippi, which reflects the dedication of our tourism leaders and the strategic vision of state and local officials who have committed to investing in tourism growth,” said Danielle Morgan, MTA Executive Director. Our members have elected strong and capable leaders who will guide our association in revitalizing and expanding tourism across all sectors. The Mississippi Tourism Association benefits greatly from the commitment and expertise of our volunteer leaders, whose contributions are essential to our ongoing success and the future of tourism in our state. With this incredible team, we are well-positioned to drive our organization and Mississippi tourism forward.”

We are grateful for our partnership with Mississippi Economic Development Council, and we look forward to connecting with economic development colleagues from around the state.

Happy National Travel and Tourism Week! The travel industry is pivotal to our economy, communities and in connecting America. Mississippi tourism is on the rise and our state will continue to reap the benefits of this industry more and more each year as we continue to grow and expand. Tourism in Mississippi is in full swing! #NTTW24 #mstourism #visitms

We’re celebrating #NTTW24 and what travel means to Mississippi – from our communities to our jobs to our economy—travel touches and improves it all. Tourism is also the first date of economic development. Potential investors and site selectors look at communities and the quality of life they can offer. Increasingly, this is a key factor in economic development decisions. Those first looks at a community in Mississippi are usually met with amazing outdoor adventures. #visitms #mstourism #visitms

This #NTTW24, let’s celebrate how the travel industry powers the economy, connects our people, creates quality job opportunities and supports our communities. Travel is invaluable to America’s success. Tourism supports approximately 105,000 jobs in Mississippi. However, 17,000 direct and indirect jobs have been lost since the pandemic. Mississippi Tourism Association is working on strategies to train and recruit quality tourism professionals to keep up with the demand in this sector. Have you experienced Mississippi's trails? We have many options for cycling throughout the state. #mstourism #visitms

Travel is essential to every state and countless destinations across the nation, just like here in Mississippi. In 2023, visitors spent $7.5 billion in Mississippi, a 10 percent increase from 2022. This visitor spending also generated $744 million in state and local taxes. Travel is an industry that powers our economy and connects our country. Mississippi is home to many sports facilities, events, and adventures that connect our communities with visitors! #NTTW24 #mstourism #visitms

Today is Global Meetings Industry Day! Meetings and events help drive travel and tourism into communities and are an indispensable source of visitor spending in many destinations. Meetings also support small and local businesses in the communities in which they are hosted, often providing long-lasting benefits not visible to attendees. We know firsthand how valuable in-person meetings are to our members. It is where ideas are shared and powerful connections are formed. Looking to meet in Mississippi? Check out some of our great options here: https://lnkd.in/gdsAxu6S Where is your favorite place to meet in Mississippi? #mstourism #visitms #GMID2024

It was a great day celebrating Mississippi tourism last week at the Capitol! $7.5 BILLION spent by visitors in 2023, which contributed $744 million in state and local taxes. We were honored to have Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann as our esteemed speaker. There is so much for Mississippi's fourth-largest industry to be proud of and we have some of the hardest working tourism professionals around!

It’s never too early to plan for NTTW!