By Sarah Cook

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — The Bluff City’s top industry is in better shape than ever.

Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Kevin Kirby shared with the Natchez Board of Aldermen Tuesday that in 2014 alone, tourism generated more than $100 million for Natchez and Adams County.

“That’s money coming in without any burden on the citizens of Natchez,” Kirby said.

Hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and attractions like the annual pilgrimage tours are the main forces in the tourism engine, Kirby explained.

And with an estimated 648,000 visitors last year, Kirby said he plans to raise the bar in 2015 and attract more people from around the globe.

“What we’re finding is that the international traveler is falling in love with the discovery of Natchez, the authenticity of Natchez and what we hear firsthand is the warm, embracing community spirit of the people of Natchez,” Kirby said. “If we can sell our city effectively, we can raise the (tourism) waters to a higher degree.”

According to the CVB, 21,985 international visitors were documented in Natchez last year—more than any other city in Mississippi. In turn, those visitors generated $888.82 in tax relief per household.

“Those numbers are extremely important to our local economy,” Natchez Mayor Butch Brown said. “Tourism is growing each year and becoming more and more important.”

As the city prepares for its 2016 tricentennial, Kirby said the CVB plans to revamp its tourism strategy.

“We’re working on updating the Visit Natchez website to make it more social media friendly,” said Kirby, adding that improved bus tours and a new visitation guide is also on the CVB’s agenda. “Our goal is to basically build awareness, drive interest, and work with the community to promote tourism in 2015.”

For more information on tourism in Natchez and Adams County, visit visitnatchez.org.