Page 114 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2026

story by Lynn Lofton photos by Donn Hupp and courtesy of Cruisin’ the Coast
While the summer may be winding down, Coast tourism continues going full steam. Now visitors come year round.
In 2024 Coastal Mississippi welcomed 15.7 million visitors, generating approximately $2.5 billion in visitor spending. The average overnight visitor stays 2.6 nights. However, many visitors extend their stay or return multiple times throughout the year to experience different communities, seasonal events, and attractions across the Coast, according to the tourism agency.
“Early indicators suggest that positive momentum has continued into 2026,” says Judy Young, CEO of Coastal Mississippi. “Our tourism partners are reporting solid demand across accommodations, attractions, restaurants, charter businesses, and entertainment venues, particularly on weekends and around holiday periods. Although final visitation data won’t be available until later this year, all indications point to another strong summer for Coastal Mississippi.”
They also report that the largest visitation markets continue to be Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, and Arkansas. “Because we’re an easy drive for millions of people across the Southeast, regional travel remains one
of Coastal Mississippi’s greatest strengths. We also continue expanding our reach through air service and passenger rail, making the destination more accessible than ever before,” Young said.
Asked to name the area’s biggest draw, Young replied, “That’s always a difficult question because there isn’t just one answer. Some visitors come for our beautiful gaming resorts, others
for world-class fishing, championship golf, fresh Gulf seafood, beaches, or family attractions. Many are drawn by our authentic coastal communities, rich maritime heritage, arts and culture, and year-round festivals.”
Young feels that Coastal Mississippi’s uniqueness is that visitors don’t have to choose just one experience. “They can enjoy
a beach morning, a museum in the afternoon, fresh seafood
for dinner, and live entertainment that evening, all within a relatively short drive. That diversity is one of our greatest strengths and one of the primary reasons visitors continue to return.”
The return of passenger rail service is another plus, making Coastal Mississippi more accessible than ever for regional travelers.
“We’re also seeing continued investment with new restaurants, lodging options, and visitor experiences opening across our coastal communities,” Young said. “Just as importantly, our portfolio of attractions continues to perform exceptionally well and remains one of the primary reasons visitors, especially families, return year after year.”
114 | August 2026
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