Hotels aren’t the only things going up in Natchez.

Spirits are on the rise, too.

The construction of a Country Inn and Suites across from the convention center, a Hampton Inn down the street and work at the Ramada were enough to give tourism officials something to smile about at Monday’s Convention and Promotion Commission Board meeting.

Officials tossed around ideas and predictions for the area’s tourism future and were all smiles as they discussed how the new hotels would be a boon to the local economy and tourism.

Natchez will soon have roughly 400 new rooms, Tourism Director Walter Tipton said.

In the past, lack of hotel rooms has hindered some conventions, René Adams, member of the Natchez Convention and Promotion Commission Board, said at Monday’s meeting.

“Several groups couldn’t even consider Natchez because there are not enough hotel rooms,” Adams said.

Once the hotels do open, that will leave a lot of rooms to fill, board member Tammi Gardner pointed out.

“That’s our job as board members, to market Natchez,” Adams said enthusiastically. “Fortunately, it makes our job a little easier because people like to come to Natchez.”

Hotel rooms near the convention center will be a big asset to the area, Tipton said.

“People want to be close to the meeting facility,” Tipton said.

Right now, the city has only about 890 hotel rooms, including bed and breakfasts, Tipton said. And without the Ramada Inn, the city has temporarily lost 16 percent of its hotel rooms.

But things are already looking up, Tipton said.

“A guy called me two weeks ago,” Tipton said. “He said he had a real problems with (the lack of hotel rooms). Now, he’s looking at Natchez again.”

And it’s not just new Natchez facilities that will help draw conventions, Tipton said. Once it’s built, the board will also promote the Gateway Center across the river in Vidalia.

In other business:

4The board will host a day celebrating National Tourism Week May 17 at the convention center from 5 to 7 p.m.

4The board approved to change the date private management company New Orleans Hotel Consultants would take over management of the convention center, auditorium and community center. The city already approved pushing back the date from May 1 to October 1.

4The board approved to spend $6,000 for signs marking significant locations on the state blues trail. These will mark Under-the-Hill, Rhythm Night Club and identify local blues legends.

4The board authorized Tipton to contribute up to $1,000 to the upcoming Symphony of Gardens tour.

4The board approved $500 to contribute to the upcoming Reggae on the Mississippi River festival.