By Nita McCann

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Those who promote the Spring Pilgrimage said they are optimistic about the number of tourists they expect for the month-long event.

Spring Pilgrimage, which is advertised both regionally and nationally, attracted about 20,000 tourists to the area last year, according to figures from the Natchez Visitor Reception Center.

And based on the calls they have received, this Spring Pilgrimage –which starts Saturday and runs through April 7 — is expected to bring in at least that number.

That includes the 4,000 tourists that Natchez Pilgrimage Tours has booked with group tours, said Lindsey Shelton, director of NPT.

“We also have folks calling nearly every day to make last-minute reservations for their groups, so that number will likely go up,” Shelton said.

Each of those groups includes at least 20 people who have booked through a travel company, she added.

Since each Pilgrimage visitor stays three to four days in Natchez on average, the economic impact of the event is substantial, said Jessica Cauthen, public relations director for VisitNatchez.org.

According to figures from the Mississippi Division of Tourism, the event has an economic impact of more than $90 million.

Kevin Kirby, director of VisitNatchez.org, said one notable thing about the Spring and Fall Pilgrimages is the diversity of tourists they bring to town from around the globe.

“Pilgrimage brings in visitors from just about every European country, and we’re seeing more of them from Canada, too, “ Kirby said. “Anyone who loves history.”

In all, 27 antebellum houses are opening their doors to visitors during this spring’s pilgrimage.

But Natchez also has a number of other attractions to fill the rest of a tourist’s time. Those range from gospel performances like “Southern Road to Freedom” to the Natchez Little Theatre’s plays, Cauthen said.

One big attraction will be the newly revamped Historic Natchez Tableaux. That and other events coinciding with Pilgrimage, Shelton said, “make me very optimistic that this year will be even better than last year.”

One group responsible for that outlook is the owners of the antebellum houses on tour who, with other volunteers, regale tourists with stories unique to each house, Shelton said.

Tickets for house tours and other Pilgrimage-related events can be ordered by calling (800) 647-6742, in person at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center on South Canal Street or by visiting shopnatchezpilgrimage.com.