MISSISSIPPI TOURISM ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZES THE POWER OF TRAVELDURING NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK

Tourism is Mississippi’s 4th-largest industry—fueling jobs, investment, and community growth across all 82 counties.

The Mississippi Tourism Association (MTA), the unified voice of the state’s tourism industry for over 35 years, is proud to join destinations and industry partners across the country in celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), May 4–10. This annual event highlights and recognizes the critical role that travel plays in powering economic growth, supporting a strong workforce, and telling the story of vibrant, resilient communities.

“Travel is one of our nation's most powerful economic engines—supporting millions of jobs, fueling businesses, and propelling industries forward,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “National Travel and Tourism Week reinforces the pivotal role travel plays in building a stronger, more prosperous America."

As Mississippi’s fourth-largest industry, travel and tourism are vital to the state’s success and their power is undeniable. In 2023, tourism delivered $17.5 billion in total economic impact, supported over 133,000 jobs, and generated $1.1 billion in state and local taxes that help fund schools, roads, public safety, and other essential services. From charming small towns and cultural landmarks to natural wonders and award-winning culinary experiences, tourism drives the state’s story and its future by playing a key role in attracting new talent and investment to the state.

“In Mississippi, travel is often the front door to economic development,” said MTA Executive Director Danielle Morgan. “It strengthens our economy, supports local entrepreneurs, and attracts the kind of investment and talent that fuels long-term growth. But more than that, tourism helps us tell our story both to the world and to ourselves. This National Travel and Tourism Week, we celebrate the people and places that make Mississippi so very special, and we recommit to building a more vibrant and prosperous state through the power of travel.”

Tourism’s Impact Reaches Every Corner of Mississippi, from the blues sites of the Delta to the white-sand beaches of the Gulf Coast, tourism touches all 82 counties in Mississippi. It supports restaurants, hotels, museums, outfitters, farmers markets, festivals, and Main Street businesses, many of whom are small, family-run operations that serve as the backbone of local economies.

In 2024, the national travel industry generated $2.9 trillion in economic output, supported 15 million jobs, and produced $190 billion in tax revenue, which provided $1,490 in tax relief for every U.S. household.

To learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week, visit www.ustravel.org/NTTW.

To explore career and training opportunities in Mississippi tourism, visit www.workforce.mstourism.com.