Governor’s Conference on Tourism

The tourism industry was hit hard during the global pandemic.

The 2020 Governor’s Conference on Tourism has a plan to bring back tourism in our state.

- the tourism industry was hit- hard during the global pandemic- the 2020 governer's conference- on tourism has a- plan to bring back tourism in - our state.- news 25's sabria reid has more.- - travel all over the world has - reduced due to safety measures- during the global pandemic.

- the tourism industry has been i- the eye of the storm but- mississippi has a plan to get - people to travel to see our 5 - diverse regions.- tate reeves, mississippi- governer: - "we must do everything in our power to protect the lives of - mississippians- - - - but also understand that not- only must we protect the lives- of mississippians, we - must also the livelyhoods of ou- - - - fellow mississippians."

Sabria reid, news 25:- "in state travel has been on th rise since the global pandemic- craig ray says the- tourism industry is now focusin- on rebranding mississippi and - are counting on a - tourism boom in 2021."

Craig ray, director of visit- mississippi:- "we are in the middle of hiring a new ad agency, we're looking- to rebrand the state of - mississippi come out with some- new commerials so new digital - - - - ads billboard ads a complete- blitz of marketing campaign to- be hopefully timed just right - for coming- - out of the pandemic with the- vacinations in place."

Visitors in mississippi spent a- estimated 6.7 billion in 2019, - 2.9 percent increase over 2018- numbers.

As visitor spending- - - increased, so did the overall - number of visitors.

In 2019,- mississippi hosted 24.7 million- visitors who helped to- support more than 122,000 jobs.- tate reeves, mississippi- governer: - "the best way to have populatio growth is to convince people to- come here and see - - - - what all the fuss is about."

The mississippi aquarium won th- award for travel- attraction of the year.

Coastal- mississippi won - the award for best social media- presence and the gulfport - redevelopment commission won th- tourism investment- award.- safety comes first and the- tourism industry is - hightlighting - events and destinations where - everyone can feel safe to - travel.

- craig ray, director of visit- mississippi:- "we want to send a message to our industry that when it's saf- and when you- can or feel up to it that trave- is important and know there's - alot of backed up demand for- people wanting to travel , but- that's our job to lead- - - - approperatly and safely."

In biloxi, sabria reid,