The Mississippi Tourism Association supports SB 2193

As the state’s fourth largest industry, employing more than 127,500 people, tourism has a substantial role in the economic growth and vitality of Mississippi. Coming off the heels of a record fiscal year in 2018, 24 million visitors infused billions of new dollars into Mississippi’s economy and yielded $665 million in additional tax revenue.

This record tourism revenue was achieved, in large part, from a one-time funding allocation approved by the Mississippi legislature to market the state as a travel destination during its bicentennial year.  After seeing the unprecedented results and growth generated from this campaign, the Mississippi Tourism Association (MTA) strengthened its efforts to work closely with legislators on the need for a financially stable funding model.

“We have long sought a permanent funding solution for tourism advertising that is based on performance,” said Senate Tourism Committee Chair Lydia Chassaniol.  “The funding in this bill is simple – the more visitors we are able to bring to Mississippi, the more restaurant and hotel sales tax revenue will be generated to the state, and thus the more money we’ll make available for us to advertise. It’s a great incentive to work smart to bring more people to visit our great state and spend their tourism dollars in Mississippi’s economy,” Chassaniol added.

This created Senate Bill 2193, legislation for a permanent funding source for tourism, which dedicates 1% of total revenue collected from restaurant and hotel sales tax revenues statewide for tourism marketing beginning in fiscal year 2020. These funds will be used to enhance available tourism advertising dollars at Visit Mississippi (MDA).

The funding dedication will increase to 2% in fiscal year 2021 and to 3%  in fiscal year 2022 of total revenue collected from restaurant and hotel sales tax revenues statewide. For each year thereafter, this dedication will remain at 3%.
This bill also creates a tourism advisory board, comprised of local and regional tourism professionals, to strengthen the industry’s cooperative marketing efforts. As outlined in the legislation, these members would be appointed to the advisory board by the Governor in January 2020 and serve concurrently with the Governor.

“The funding for tourism advertising in this bill makes Mississippi’s tourism industry competitive in advertising dollars with our surrounding states.  Currently, our surrounding states are outspending us as much as five to one.  This is a step in the right direction to tell Mississippi’s tourism story to others outside our state,” Chassaniol said.

As the voice of the tourism industry throughout the state, Mississippi Tourism Association’s membership is united in its support of SB 2193 to create a permanent funding source and advisory board for tourism promotion.

“Destination marketing is highly competitive. To reach its potential and to fortify continued growth in this industry, Mississippi must establish an annual funding stream dedicated solely to marketing the state as a travel destination,” said Dede Mogollon, president of MTA. “We have tremendous tourism attractions, including many new world-class museums, restaurants, trails and outdoor recreation. The Mississippi Legislature can level the playing field by passing this legislation.  It’s a win-win for everyone.”

The Mississippi Tourism Association, formerly known as the Mississippi Travel Promotion Association, began operations in 1988 with the primary objective of creating an industry-wide promotional organization with the goal of serving as the statewide voice for all segments within the hospitality industry. That mission continues to grow for the organization whom is guided by a Board of Directors representing all parts of the State and all segments within the hospitality industry.