Every year, travel and tourism professionals celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, including the Mississippi Welcome Center located in Pearl River County.
Pearl River County Mississippi Welcome Center Supervisor Cindy Poland said they plan special events for tourists during this week.
Wednesday, Poland and travel counselors, Laura Ladner, Brenda Emmons and Jesse Johnson greeted travelers with homemade dishes and several delicacies from local businesses such as Treitler’s and Paul’s Pastry Shop. Robin Poirier, owner of Sun Roamers RV Resort and Clubhouse, talked to guests about amenities offered at his RV park.
Officials dub the event as “Picayune Day.” Many local officials were in attendance for the event including City Manager Jim Luke and members of the Picayune Police Department and Picayune Fire Department. Local musician Jim Williams entertained guests with song.
“We have something planned every day and invite tourists in to talk to us about seeing more of Mississippi,” Poland said. “We focus on Picayune to let everyone know what we have in the area to see and visit. It’s an economic boost.”
According to www.ustravel.org, the national commemoration was established by a Congressional resolution in 1983. Travel and tourism professionals spend this week promoting the contributions their travel markets make to the U.S. economy, the website states. The goal of this year’s celebration, “Travel ’16,” is to ensure that travel and its positive impact are part of the discussion amidst the 2016 election season, the website states.