National Travel and Tourism Week, now in its 35th year, is the annual salute to travel in America.

During the first full week of May, which is today through Saturday this year, communities nationwide unite to showcase the impact of travel to policymakers, business leaders and media with rallies, events and other activities.

This year, Visit Natchez and the Natchez Convention Promotion Commission are highlighting our community tourism partners, their contributions, successes and potential, with a special emphasis on the employees and staff who help make our tourism partners’ businesses successful, and by their positive spirit, dedication and hard work, help make Natchez successful.  We are not only celebrating this week, but we are also educating our community on all that Natchez has to offer.

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The travel industry is an essential economic driver and job creator. In 2017, visitors to Natchez spent more than $110 million. With state and local taxes of $10.7 million attributed to tourism in Natchez/Adams County, every household in our community saved $928 in state and local taxes in 2017. Tourism produced 2,275 jobs in tourism related industries. That’s over 20 percent of people employed in non-farm related jobs.

So we have a lot to celebrate this Travel and Tourism Week. We invite you to join us by taking part in any or all of the events planned throughout the week.

There are numerous opportunities to experience tours that our visitors experience, test your knowledge at Tourism Trivia Night at Bowies, have a chance to be one of the winners of a delicious lunch and tour of the magnificent American Queen, have fun in a unique Scavenger Hunt, and lots more.  You can find the complete listing of events and how to sign up on our website, visitnatchez.org, or at listenupyall.com.  You may also call 601-446-6345.

Jennifer Ogden Combs is executive director of VisitNatchez and Natchez Convention Promotion Commission.