Wicker Touts Mississippi’s Record Tourism

Mississippians have been working hard to improve our tourism assets and draw visitors to the state. According to the latest numbers from the tourism board, those efforts are leading to resounding success. In 2024, Mississippi welcomed 44 million tourists-a record number of visitors drawn to the Magnolia State's parks, festivals, restaurants, and more.

Mississippi Tourism Industry Soaring

To understand how impressive that figure is, consider the previous decade. In 2014, 22 million tourists visited the state-less than half of last year's count. For the next few years, we saw steady growth. In 2019, nearly 25 million people visited. The pandemic depressed travel all over the world, and Mississippi was no exception. But we bounced back quickly. Communities kept investing in the tourism industry, and the numbers kept rising. Everything came together in 2023, when our tourism figures skyrocketed. That year, 43.7 million people traveled to Mississippi, shattering a record that we broke again in 2024.

Investments Paying Off

It would be impossible to list every attraction in Mississippi. But it is worth highlighting a few ways we have leveled up our tourism industry this year.

Jackson beat 41 other cities' bids to host the National Folk Festival in a three-year residency. This month, the city held the first festival, drawing 30,000 music lovers to watch over 300 artists. Meanwhile, two Mississippi staples hit significant milestones. Cruisin' the Coast boasted its largest-ever crowd, and the Natchez Balloon Festival celebrated its 40th year.

Our sports tourism shows no signs of slowing down. College games continue attracting fans. Hattiesburg welcomed 40,000 visitors over Labor Day weekend for a college football game and a soccer tournament. In Clay County, the highly rated Mossy Oak Golf Course at Old Waverly Club reopened after renovation under nationally regarded ownership. The Mississippi coast was awarded hosting rights for the 2026 USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships. The weekend-long event will draw athletes and families from around the world.

Community colleges across the state are offering courses in the culinary arts, which helps meet the increased demand of the hospitality industry. This year, Dr. Wei Wang, a professor at the University of Southern Mississippi, won an award for her work to equip students entering this field.

Several Mississippi restaurants recently attracted the attention of international critics. The esteemed Michelin Guide recommended restaurants in Jackson, Oxford, Taylor, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, and Biloxi. The Mayflower in Jackson earned a place on The New York Times list of best restaurants in America.

Amtrak Shatters Expectations

In August, Amtrak returned to the Gulf Coast. Now, twice-daily train service runs to and from New Orleans and Mobile, with four stops in Mississippi. I worked for many years to restore the rail line after Katrina's devastation. Already, those efforts are paying off.

The Mardi Gras Service debuted during Amtrak's slow season, but 35,000 people have ridden-double Amtrak's ridership expectations. Most passengers hail from Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, but the line has carried travelers from across the nation. On weekends, the trains are 90 percent full. And when the Saints play, the line sells out. The customer satisfaction rating is the highest among any Amtrak service. New developments are emerging along the route. Senior citizen centers have booked numerous rides. They have found the train to be a safe, comfortable, and convenient way to give residents a chance to travel.

If we continue investing in our state's attractions, the sky is the limit for our tourism industry. I am proud of the work community members, business leaders, and government officials have done to capitalize on this potential. I will continue working alongside them so even more people choose to "Visit Mississippi."