National Travel and Tourism Week, (NTTW) the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry, will spotlight the essential role that travel has played throughout the recovery from the pandemic and will play in driving economic growth and innovation through the theme #TravelForward.
In Mississippi, the travel industry drives $749 million in state and local taxes, providing $678 in tax relief for every Mississippi household. In 2022, 24 million visitors spent $7.1 billion in our state. Tourism also contributed $461 million to the state’s general fund, which amounted to 6.4 percent, or $1 of every $16, in the general fund.
“As Mississippi’s fourth-largest industry, the tourism industry supports over 100,000 jobs and strengthens culture and identity to attract more visitors to our beautiful state. In addition, tourism also greatly enhances the quality of life for our residents,” said Mississippi Tourism Association Executive Director Danielle Morgan. “This National Travel and Tourism Week, we celebrate Mississippi tourism’s forward momentum thanks to strategic planning and investments by state leaders as we strive to continue to grow our economic impact for the benefit of all Mississippians.”
“The travel industry fuels every industry—our industry’s success is the nation’s success,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “This week is a prime opportunity to elevate the message that travel is essential to moving America’s economy forward.”
Established in 1983, NTTW is an annual tradition to mark the U.S. travel industry’s role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating vibrant communities, creating quality job opportunities, stimulating business activities, and elevating the quality of life for everyday Americans.
Travel serves as a catalyst for a productive U.S. economy and helps power the success of other industries. The U.S. travel industry generated a $2.6 trillion economic output in 2022 and supported 15 million jobs, fueling communities, small businesses and working families across the country.
Travel spending also generated nearly $160 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2022—revenue that helped fund critical public services while saving each U.S. household an average of $1,270 in taxes.
Mississippi is recognizing travel’s essential contributions with celebrations planned in communities across the state in honor of National Travel and Tourism Week, as well as a ceremonial bill signing of House Bill 419 with Governor Tate Reeves on Wednesday, May 10. HB 419 creates a new round of tourism funding for destination marketing organizations and other tourism recovery projects funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Please visit ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week.