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Susan LaBrecque knows where to find all of the best festivals and events on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She reports from the Bay Bridge Fest in Old Town Bay St. Louis to tell you all about it. This annual event celebrates the local culture and businesses through amazing art, delicious food and three stages of entertainment. Also taking place this weekend is Smokin' the Lake drag boat racing on Gulfport Lake. There's always something happening on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Discover it all at www.visitmscoast.org. Wish you were here!
For more information go to www.visitmscoast.org or www.visitmscoast.xanga.com.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Hancock County tourism looking optimistic
BAY ST. LOUIS, MS (WLOX) -
It's one of the most important industries in the State: tourism has a $5.5 billion economic impact in Mississippi according to state tourism leaders.
In recent years, the industry on the Coast has taken a hit from Katrina, then the down turn in the national economy and most recently the BP oil spill.
Leaders in Hancock County tell us why they have reason for optimism for a good summer tourism season.
Some well known local faces from the world of politics traded their days jobs Wednesday afternoon to become tourism ambassadors like: Democratic Senator David Baria of Bay St. Louis and Representative Dirk Dedeaux, (D) District 93 Hancock County
"We want to entice you to go down and hit the Gulf Coast," Baria said. "It's beautiful down there."
"We're here today to promote tourist attractions in our local community ranging from Stennis Space Center to the Gulf Of Mexico and everywhere in between," Dedeaux said.
As part of National Travel and Tourism Week, the Hancock County I-10 Welcome Center rolled out the red carpet for visitors to the state who made a stop here.
Welcome Center Manager Bobbie Tate said, "National Travel and Tourism week is a week where we let our tourist know how much we appreciate them visiting our area, and we just show them a little extra special hospitality while they are here."
Tourism leaders say last year's summer season suffered greatly by the BP oil spill, the national economy and post Katrina infrastructure work in Hancock County.
"We are much improved over how we were, how we looked, the quality of our product before Katrina, so we are wide-open ready for visitors to come," Hancock County Tourism Director Beth Carriere said.
Tourism leaders said the increasing numbers give them reason for optimism. In the first five months of last year, 101,000 tourists visited the Hancock County Welcome Center. In the same time frame this year, 107,000 tourists passed through.
"We've seen approximately 2,000 more tourists per month as opposed to last year. So I think more and more people are traveling this year," Tate said.
Carriere said what Hancock County has to offer tourists continues to grow, too.
"Barnacle Bill's is a new attraction that's being added to our area and should open in a week or two," Carriere said. "We're very excited about that! So between fishing, crabbing, playing in the sand, going in the water, going to Stennis, enjoying the restaurants and the shops and the whole historic aspect of this area, there's not much more than a little family could ask for."
Tourism leaders are hoping to capitalize on the current gas crisis. They are hoping residents from neighboring Louisiana will opt for shorter distance vacations and choose Hancock County for their summer fun.
http://www.wlox.com/global/story.asp?s=14629573
It's one of the most important industries in the State: tourism has a $5.5 billion economic impact in Mississippi according to state tourism leaders.
In recent years, the industry on the Coast has taken a hit from Katrina, then the down turn in the national economy and most recently the BP oil spill.
Leaders in Hancock County tell us why they have reason for optimism for a good summer tourism season.
Some well known local faces from the world of politics traded their days jobs Wednesday afternoon to become tourism ambassadors like: Democratic Senator David Baria of Bay St. Louis and Representative Dirk Dedeaux, (D) District 93 Hancock County
"We want to entice you to go down and hit the Gulf Coast," Baria said. "It's beautiful down there."
"We're here today to promote tourist attractions in our local community ranging from Stennis Space Center to the Gulf Of Mexico and everywhere in between," Dedeaux said.
As part of National Travel and Tourism Week, the Hancock County I-10 Welcome Center rolled out the red carpet for visitors to the state who made a stop here.
Welcome Center Manager Bobbie Tate said, "National Travel and Tourism week is a week where we let our tourist know how much we appreciate them visiting our area, and we just show them a little extra special hospitality while they are here."
Tourism leaders say last year's summer season suffered greatly by the BP oil spill, the national economy and post Katrina infrastructure work in Hancock County.
"We are much improved over how we were, how we looked, the quality of our product before Katrina, so we are wide-open ready for visitors to come," Hancock County Tourism Director Beth Carriere said.
Tourism leaders said the increasing numbers give them reason for optimism. In the first five months of last year, 101,000 tourists visited the Hancock County Welcome Center. In the same time frame this year, 107,000 tourists passed through.
"We've seen approximately 2,000 more tourists per month as opposed to last year. So I think more and more people are traveling this year," Tate said.
Carriere said what Hancock County has to offer tourists continues to grow, too.
"Barnacle Bill's is a new attraction that's being added to our area and should open in a week or two," Carriere said. "We're very excited about that! So between fishing, crabbing, playing in the sand, going in the water, going to Stennis, enjoying the restaurants and the shops and the whole historic aspect of this area, there's not much more than a little family could ask for."
Tourism leaders are hoping to capitalize on the current gas crisis. They are hoping residents from neighboring Louisiana will opt for shorter distance vacations and choose Hancock County for their summer fun.
http://www.wlox.com/global/story.asp?s=14629573
Monday, May 9, 2011
Landing of d'Iberville - Mississippi Gulf Coast Updates - May 1, 2011
Susan LaBrecque is in Ocean Springs for the Weekend of Discovery, an event that's all about our honoring and celebrating our history and culture. The event included an arts and crafts festival, regatta, block party and more. This is the grand finale, the colorful and dramatic reenactment of the landing of d'Ibervile and his crew on our shore. The 1699 Historical Society puts on this great event, and it's one of many unique experiences on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Discover them all at www.visitmscoast.org. Wish you were here!
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