NATCHEZ — It takes a community to promote a community.

Those are the resounding words that motivate many area businesses to continually shine a positive light on Natchez.

And to show appreciation for those businesses, Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Kevin Kirby, along with other members of the CVB, will give out special certificates to restaurants and other area attractions Tuesday.

“We want to recognize people who are passionate supporters of tourism,” said Kirby, adding that the effort stems from National Travel and Tourism Week, which began Saturday.

With tourism generating more than $107 million for Natchez and Adams County in 2014, Kirby said it’s important businesses receive their due recognition for their continuous efforts to promote the area.

Hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and annual attractions like Spring Pilgrimage, the Natchez Festival of Music and the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race are just a few key drivers in the tourism engine, Kirby said.

Extending gracious hospitality, which Kirby said Natchez has mastered, is another way the Miss-Lou entices travelers from around the world.

“Even though people continuously praise us for our beautiful landscape and architecture, I think it’s the community that really makes Natchez great,” Kirby said. “It’s hard to find a community where hospitality reigns supreme.”

Along with recognizing local businesses, the CVB is also hosting a special bus tour to Clarksdale Friday to expose residents to the Americana Music Triangle, which is a plan to develop a travel route that celebrates the origin of American music along the Mississippi River.

The Americana Music Triangle, Kirby said, aims to give credit to cities, like Natchez that played a pivotal role in fostering the initial roots of blues, rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, soul and a host of other music genres.

“It’s a five-state collaborative effort, and Mississippi is at the center of it,” Kirby said. “Natchez, in many ways, is considered the birthplace of American music.”

Through implementing new attractions, like the Americana Music Triangle, Kirby said he hopes to attract more visitors to the Miss-Lou.

“Natchez really presents a ‘wow factor’ in terms of providing so many things for people to enjoy,” Kirby said. “And we need to continue to grow that.”

Tickets for the bus ride are $25 and can be purchased by calling the CVB at 601-446-6345.