Page 27 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2020

safe & sound
story and photos courtesy of Coastal Mississippi
Coastal Mississippi, the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s destination marketing organization, is charged with promoting the tri- county coastal region as a tourism and convention destination worldwide. Its mission is centered on attracting ever-increasing numbers of leisure, convention, sports and business visitors to the area. The organization is dedicated to maximizing the travel and tourism industry for South Mississippi. On average, over 13.5 million visitors travel to the region annually, creating more than $3.3 billion in economic impact. This spending provides Coastal Mississippi residents over $1,600 in tax relief – $1,000 more than the state average, cementing the undeniable impact of tourism to the region.
#VisitMSResponsibly
About
Coastal Mississippi
Milton Segarra
Karen Conner
Natalea Thomson
Janice Jones
After one of the most challenging years this region has experienced, Coastal Mississippi continues
to support their partners in the tourism and hospitality industry in recovery e orts. The dedicated sta of Coastal Mississippi works in collaboration with hospitality partners and stakeholders who represent various areas of tourism. These partnerships assist in
the ongoing development and execution of integrated marketing, communications, sales and research.
The impact of COVID-19 on The Secret Coast has been indelible, with the tourism economy su ering critically. Tourism is the lifeblood
of the region, with the three coastal counties accounting for one-third of the state’s employees, expenditures, and taxes. Both national and statewide responses to COVID-19 have impeded travel to the region, leaving the coastal economy in desperate need of recovery.
Coastal Mississippi’s tourism recovery plan holds the key to
a stronger economic future and
is based on data and a research- driven framework. In addition, Coastal Mississippi’s Destination Promise of health and safety will be incorporated in all e orts, as visitors will continue to prioritize health and safety when selecting a destination. The Promise, born from partnerships with regional healthcare authorities, aims to promote safe, responsible travel to our region. This Promise assures visitors that our hospitality partners have implemented the necessary precautions to protect both visitors and their employees.
In such an unprecedented year, this vote of confidence in both the destination and the locals that call it home means so much more.
Erin Rosetti
Anna Roy
Cindy Jo Calvit
Patrick Clay
Ari Covacevich
Zachary Holi eld
Marquez Singleton
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
November 2020 | 27
Pam Tomasovsky
Coastal Mississippi is dedicated to maximizing the travel and tourism industry for South Mississippi.