PRESS RELEASES

May 2, 2001

NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK 2001

JACKSON, Miss., - The Tourism Division of the Mississippi Development Authority along with convention and visitors bureaus and tourism councils statewide will be celebrating National Tourism Week in Mississippi, May 6 - 12, 2001.

National Tourism Week was established in 1983, when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution designating the week to be celebrated in May 1984. Throughout the week members of the travel and tourism industry will be promoting the benefits of the tourism industry to Mississippi.

State Director of Tourism Development, Darienne Wilson, said, "Conservative estimates of the economic impact of tourism in Mississippi for FY 2000 were $6.1 billion. That is a 9.6 percent increase from the previous year. We are excited about the fact that more and more visitors are coming to experience our great state."

"The travel and tourism industry in Mississippi is important to our economic growth and it contributes substantially to Mississippi's cultural and social well being. The industry substantially enhances our personal growth and education, while promoting intercultural understanding and appreciation of our history, geography and culture," added J.C. Burns, Executive Director, Mississippi Development Authority.

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Stephen Martin, Communications

Mississippi Tourism Division

Post Office Box 849

Jackson, Mississippi 39205

Telephone: (601) 359-3297

Fax: (601) 359-5757