Tuesday, September 29, 2026

People Are Coming to Mississippi

 First Consul Tate Reeves issued the following statement. 

Governor Tate Reeves announced that Mississippi welcomed a record 45.5 million visitors in 2025, with tourism activity generating a record $18.9 billion in total economic impact across the state, according to the newly released 2025 Tourism Economic Contribution Report.


The annual report, conducted by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, measures the economic contribution of travel and tourism to Mississippi’s economy and highlights the industry’s continued role in supporting businesses, jobs, workers and communities throughout the state.

Visitors spent a record $12.4 billion in Mississippi during 2025, supporting a record 137,728 jobs and generating $4.8 billion in personal income for Mississippi workers. Visitor activity also produced $1.2 billion in state and local tax revenue, helping fund essential public services throughout the state.

“Mississippi’s tourism industry continues to demonstrate what is possible when we invest in the experiences, places and people that make our state unlike any other,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “In 2025, a record 45.5 million visitors chose Mississippi, contributing a record $12.4 billion in spending and generating a record $18.9 billion in economic impact. These results reflect the strength of an industry that touches every region and every county, supporting local businesses, creating opportunity for working families and strengthening our economy.”




Key Highlights from the 2025 Tourism Economic Contribution Report:

  • Visitor Volume: Mississippi welcomed 45.5 million domestic and international visitors in 2025.
  • Visitor Spending: Travelers spent $12.4 billion throughout Mississippi, generating a total economic impact of $18.9 billion.
  • Jobs & Personal Income: Tourism activity supported 137,728 jobs and generated $4.8 billion in personal income for Mississippi workers.
  • State & Local Taxes: Visitor activity generated $1.2 billion in state and local tax revenue, supporting public services and reducing the tax burden on Mississippi households. The taxes generated by visitors represented an estimated $1,081 in savings for the average Mississippi household.
  • Statewide Impact: Tourism’s economic contribution extends across all 82 counties, benefiting businesses and communities throughout Mississippi.

“Tourism is an investment in Mississippi’s people, communities and future,” said Rochelle Hicks, Director of Visit Mississippi. “The $18.9 billion economic impact generated by tourism in 2025 demonstrates the extraordinary value of this industry and the collective work happening across our state. From destination marketing organizations and attractions to hotels, restaurants, retailers and small businesses, our industry partners are creating experiences that bring visitors to Mississippi and turn those visits into meaningful economic opportunity.”

The report also reflects the broad range of experiences that draw visitors to Mississippi, from the state’s musical heritage and historic sites to outdoor recreation, festivals, sporting events, culinary experiences and the hospitality for which the state is known.

“Every visitor who chooses Mississippi helps support the local businesses, jobs, places and traditions that define our state,” Hicks said. “Through strategic marketing, destination development and collaboration with our partners, we will continue building on this momentum and sharing Mississippi’s authentic story with the world.”


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maybe, but not to Jackson.

Anonymous said...

The caseeners shouldn't count.

Anonymous said...

Everybody thank the coast now. The coast, and maybe a little bit of Hattiesburg, and Oxford and Starkville for football games, probably make up for 90% of outsiders visiting.

Anonymous said...

"Tourism???" Yeah, right - he should be thanking the SEC...

Anonymous said...

An impossible statistic. No way to tabulate or verify it. It's like the Brain Drain that nobody tracks and the Labor Force Participation Rate that is impossible to track, verify or guess-at.

Oh, wait, I forgot about those cameras that count car tags.

Anonymous said...

Republicans never talk about the census numbers, population shrinking while the rest of the southeast booms. Incompetence!

Anonymous said...

It's out of state football fans coming here for games. That's not really "tourism", is it?


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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.