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T O U R I S M E C O N O M I C C O N T R I B U T I O N
R E P O R T
F R O M T H E G O V E R N O R
Welcome to the Fiscal Year 2018 Economic Contribution
Report of Travel/Tourism in Mississippi. This report gives a
detailed analysis of the tremendous role tourism plays in
Mississippi’s economy. Tourism is big business in
Mississippi.
During the last fiscal year, 24 million visitors spent $6.51
billion in Mississippi and generated $405.2 million for the
state’s General Fund. I invite you to consider exploring more
of Mississippi for yourself. Every region in the state has a
wealth of unique sights, sounds, tastes and experiences
worthy of your time.
Governor Phil Bryant
T H E M I D TOW N E R - H AT T I E S B U RG
( COV E R)
J A R E K U S S I N G L E TO N 2018 R E D B R I C K ROA DS M U S I
C & A R T S F E S T - C L I N TO N
24 $6.51
$405.2VISITORS SPENT
M I L L I O N
B I L L I O N
M I L L I O N
F R O M T H E E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R
F R O M T H E T O U R I S M D I R E C T O R
Visit Mississippi is dedicated to promoting the state’s array of
attractions to people
across the U.S. and around the world. When visitors dine in our
restaurants, stay
overnight and play at our golf courses and casinos, they experience
genuine
hospitality. These visitors respond by spending more money – $170
million, or 2.7
percent, over FY2017 – and this growth allows our state to succeed
in many other areas.
Considering our unmatched contributions to music, literature and
the arts, culture
may be Mississippi’s most valuable currency.
D. Craig Ray DIRECTOR VISIT MISSISSIPPI
Tourism is a vital component of our state’s economy. More than
89,500 Mississippians
work directly in the travel and tourism trade, with nearly 98
percent employed in the
private sector. Still, those numbers only tell part of the story.
The attractions making up
Mississippi’s vast tourism assets also create more vibrant
communities where people not
only want to visit, but also to live. Quality of life is directly
related to the abundance of
opportunities. In Mississippi, we are fortunate to have both.
Glenn McCullough, Jr. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
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15
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GAMING
Gaming Employment, Revenue and Legalized Sports Betting
Non-gaming Summary of Revenue for State- Licensed Casinos
OUTDOOR RECREATION
Film Productions
Travel/Tourism Employment Multipliers
A Consistent Producer
Travel/Tourism Advertising and Employment by Partners
Mississippi Runs Deep Campaign
International Travel to Mississippi
TRANSPORTATION
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E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y
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his report estimates travel/tourism’s Fiscal Year 2018 economic
contribution at the state and county level for Mississippi.
Travel/tourism is vital to Mississippi’s economy, based on 89,610
direct jobs in FY2018 - a 2.6 percent increase from the prior
fiscal year. Nearly 98 percent
were in the private sector. Travel/tourism comprised 7.7 percent of
FY2018 total direct statewide establishment-based nonfarm
employment.
The top three employment categories in terms of FY2018 Mississippi
travel/tourism were food services and drinking establishments,
state-licensed gaming and lodging, per Appendix A. The 21,562
state- licensed casino gaming jobs, including casino hotels,
equaled 24.1 percent of direct travel/tourism employment. All other
direct travel/tourism jobs comprised the remaining 75.9
percent.
All casino hotel rooms accounted for 12,590, or 20.8 percent, of
60,452 statewide hotel/motel rooms. In 2018, a Mississippi casino
hotel had 450 rooms, on average; non-casino hotel/motels had 71
rooms.
$6.25 VISITORS, ON AVERAGE, SPENT
IN MISSISSIPPI FROM FY2012 THROUGH FY2018
B I L L I O N / Y E A R
FY2018 EXPENDITURES BY VISITORS
T
Estimated travel/tourism expenditures by visitors totaled $6.51
billion in FY2018, versus $6.34 billion in FY2017, plus $170
million, or 2.7 percent. The $6.51 billion spent is the highest
ever, surpassing $6.35 billion spent in FY2005 and $6.34 billion
spent in FY2017. Visitors, on average, spent $6.25 billion/ year in
Mississippi from FY2012 through FY2018, inclusive. The $6.51
billion in direct spending by visitors in FY2018 was 4.2 percent
higher than this seven-year average spend. Travel/tourism’s $405.2
million slice of a $5.49 billion FY2018 General Fund was 7.4
percent, via visitor expenditures, tourism capital investment,
travel/tourism personal income, sales taxes and other taxes.
Travel/tourism total employment – direct, indirect and induced –
was 127,710, or 11 percent, of statewide jobs. They generated $3.17
billion in total FY2018 labor income.
Travel/tourism is a major contributor to the state’s financials and
quality of life. If other sectors stayed constant, Mississippi’s
economy without travel/ tourism, would yield:
• $405.2 million less in General Fund revenues. • 127,710 fewer
total jobs (direct, indirect and
induced). • $3.17 billion less in total annual direct and
secondary payroll associated with travel/ tourism and
quality-of-life issues.
Subtracting 89,610 direct statewide travel tourism jobs out of
Mississippi’s economy would increase the state’s annual
unemployment rate from 4.7 percent to 11.7 percent. Most of the
89,610 direct and 38,100 secondary travel/tourism jobs cannot be
outsourced.
B I L OX I L I G H T H O U S E
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TRAVEL/TOURISM EXPORTS AND IMPORTS
M I S S I S S I P P I A S A N AT T R A C T I O N
2018 B R I G H T L I G H T S B E L H AV E N N I G H T S - J AC K S
O N
ravel/tourism is one of Mississippi’s largest export industries,
generating economic benefits across all parts of the state.
Out-of-
state visitors to Mississippi spent more on travel/ tourism than
Mississippi residents spent on travel/ tourism in other states or
abroad. Travel/tourism is an industry, comprised of different
sectors of the economy.
Domestic out-of-state visitors spent $5 billion in Mississippi,
76.8 percent of $6.51 billion in statewide FY2018 visitor spending.
Mississippians traveling in state – 50 miles or more one way
–
spent an estimated $1.34 billion, 20.5 percent of $6.51 billion.
International visitors spent an estimated $176 million in
Mississippi, 2.7 percent of $6.51 billion. An in-state travel
party, on average, may have spent $480 on their entire Mississippi
trip, versus $780 for an out-of-state domestic travel party. These
spending averages reflect a combination of day and overnight
visitors.
HOUSEHOLD TAX RELIEF AND ESTIMATED EFFECTIVE TAX RATES
The $476.6 million collected in FY2018 travel/ tourism state tax
revenues/fees, plus $188.5 million in city/county tax revenues and
fees, were divided by 1,103,514 Mississippi households. Combined
state plus local tax revenues/fees attributed to travel/tourism in
FY2018 were $665.1 million. The result was $603 in tax relief per
household, or $432 in state tax relief and $171 in local tax
relief. The 2017 tax relief estimate was $588 per household ($420
state and $168 local).
T
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A CONSISTENT PRODUCER
VISITORS SPENT
I N M I S S I S S I P P I .
EMPLOYMENT RANKINGS AND TRENDS
Travel/tourism was fourth in total estimated private FY2018 direct
nonfarm, establishment- based employment, behind private health
care and social assistance, manufacturing and retail trade. Most
direct FY2018 statewide travel/tourism jobs – 87,665 of 89,610, of
97.8 percent – were private sector careers, including
hotels/motels, restaurants, casinos and retail. The other 1,945
(2.2 percent) were staff in state parks, federal parks, outdoor
recreation, airports, historic sites, state/local tourism offices,
museums, performing arts centers and spectator sports sites.
Statewide direct travel/tourism jobs in FY2018 were 7.7 percent of
all establishment based nonfarm jobs,
versus 7.6 percent of all jobs in FY2017. Mississippi’s 89,610
direct travel/tourism jobs in FY2018, were the most in 13 years and
4,310 more than the FY2007, pre-“Great Recession,” number of
85,300. The 89,610 direct travel/tourism jobs in FY2018 comprised
105 percent of the 85,300 pre-recession figure in FY2007. These
89,610 direct jobs were 2.6 percent higher than the 87,335 in
FY2017. Private direct tourism jobs comprised 9.5 percent of all
statewide private sector jobs. Statewide travel/tourism direct jobs
averaged 85,800 per year, FY2012 - FY2018, inclusive. The 89,610
direct statewide travel/tourism jobs in FY2018 were 3,810 more, 4.4
percent higher, versus the seven-year average of 85,800.
T U P E L O FA I RG RO U N DS
Travel/tourism industry is a “consistent producer” in Mississippi,
helping state/local governments close budget gaps and pay for
much-needed services. This includes real and personal property
taxes paid by hotels/motels, bed-and-breakfasts, restaurants and
casinos; 18.5 percent of the 7 percent state sales tax allocated to
the cities; motor vehicle rental taxes; petroleum taxes; among
others. Cities/counties and schools benefit from property taxes
paid by lodging, food and beverage.
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Local travel/tourism indicators include economic contributions
from:
• Hotel/motel tax levies and restaurant taxes collected
• Petroleum tax distribution • Motor vehicle rental tax diversions
• Alcohol beverage control • Seawall taxes • Real and personal
property taxes paid
by hotels/motels, restaurants and casinos • Tourism capital
investment permit fees
TRAVEL/TOURISM EXPENDITURES/LODGING DATA
Mississippi had 706 total hotel/motel properties as of Dec. 31,
2018, per a countywide lodging census conducted by Visit
Mississippi, plus census data from STR, a source for global data
benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights. From Dec. 31,
2017 to Dec. 31, 2018, statewide hotel/motel capacity increased by
684 rooms, from 59,768 to 60,452, a 1.1 percent increase. An
estimated 900 new statewide hotel/motel rooms were either under
construction or could be finalized by Dec. 31, 2019. This
would
be a 1.5 percent inventory increase, from 60,452 to 61,352.
Mississippi’s inventory had 168 estimated bed-and-breakfasts as of
Sept. 30, 2018, with 877 total bed-and-breakfast rooms, 1,338
cabins, 14,197 recreational vehicle spaces with electricity and
water and 1,808 camp sites without hook-up. Mississippi non-casino
hotels/motels achieved a 2018 statewide average daily rate of
$85.94, based on STR research, a 1.9 percent increase versus $84.37
in 2017. Mississippi’s 2018 statewide occupancy
percent was 58.0 using STR data for non-casino properties, versus
57.7 in 2017. State-licensed casino hotels had a 77.5 percent
occupancy in FY2018, the same as FY2017, but many rooms at casino
hotels were used free-of-charge by preferred customers or prize
winners. Their FY2018 average daily rate was $70.51, versus $68.30
in FY2017, a 3.2 percent increase. State-licensed casino hotel
rooms totaled 11,519 as of Dec. 31, 2018, excluding 1,071 hotel
rooms at two Pearl River Resort hotels.
C I T Y/ C O U N T Y/ S TAT E L E V E L I N D I C ATO R S
T H E A L L U V I A N H O T E L - G R E E N WO O D
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684 ROOMS STATEWIDE HOTEL/MOTEL CAPACITY INCREASED BY
CITY/COUNTY TAX REVENUES AND FEES ATTRIBUTED TO
TRAVEL/TOURISM
Travel/tourism’s contribution to the local economy includes
city/county tax revenues and permit fees. Some $56.9 million, or
30.2 percent, of $188.5 million in city/county taxes/fees
attributed to travel/ tourism in FY2018 came from state-licensed
casino gaming. Another $131.6 million, 69.8 percent, were from
room/restaurant special tax revenues, hotel/ motel real and
personal property taxes for casinos/ casino hotels, other hotels,
restaurants, seawall taxes, Alcoholic Beverage Control permit
license
fees, petroleum taxes, motor vehicle rentals and tourism capital
investment permit fees. These tax revenues do not include 18.5
percent of the state’s 7 percent tax rate originating at the state
level. Room/restaurant tax percentages range from 1 to 5 percent.
FY2018 special tax revenues totaled $82.3 million with $58.2
million, 70.7 percent, from restaurant sales, and $24.1 million,
29.3 percent, from lodging.
T H E G AT H E R I N G - F L O R A
TRAVEL/TOURISM ADVERTISING AND EMPLOYMENT BY PARTNERS
Thirty tourism partners – CVBs, tourism commissions, partnerships –
received FY2018 advertising and employment/payroll mini-surveys,
October 2017 to September 2018 data. Twenty-one, or 70 percent,
responded, excluding a convention center. FY2018 travel/tourism
employment/payroll data reflected 113 full-time, 51 part-time, 25
seasonal and 143 full-time equivalent staff with $8.53 million in
salaries, wages and fringe benefits, 28.5 percent of collective
budgets. Employment data are included in Appendix A and the payroll
item in Appendix B, under a broader category. Respondents reflected
a FY2018 total estimated budget of $30 million.
FY2018 advertising figures indicate $11.96 million was spent by
survey respondents, with $2.98 million, 24.9 percent, on
traditional ad placement and production; $2.91 million, 24.3
percent, on digital media placement, plus digital media services.
Another $534,947 was spent on ad agency retainer fees, $339,837 for
promotional items, $318,121 for trade show participation, $221,184
for FAM Tours, $415,478 for billboard advertising, $382,191 for
brochure, collateral and other printing, $3.05 million in
sponsorships and local events, $404,047 for web site
maintenance/other web services, and $343,397 for matching grants
received.
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MISSISSIPPI RUNS DEEP CAMPAIGN
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History commissioned a
research component to the FY2018 Mississippi Runs Deep Campaign.
MDA’s Tourism Economist and Data Analyst assisted the GodwinGroup
with measuring January - July 2018 campaign results. A summary
included 700 direct jobs sustained due to out-of-state spending by
travelers; personal income/ sales tax from direct jobs of $583,000;
estimated state tax revenue from visitor spending of $3.81 million;
Benefit-to-Cost ratio of $1.73 to $1.00. This analysis included
dividing benefits of $4.39 million by cost of $2.54 million.
Benefit-to-cost analysis is preferable to return-on-investment
calculations.
MISSISSIPPI VISITATION AND PRIOR VISITOR PROFILE STUDIES
About 24 million estimated total visitors in FY2018 overnighted in,
or participated in a day trip to Mississippi, an increase of 3.7
percent versus 23.15 million in FY2017. This includes domestic
leisure, business, other personal, all group travel, plus
international visitors. Mississippi had 22.5 million visitors per
year, on average, in a seven-year period, FY2012 to FY2018, from a
low of 21.3 million in FY2012 to a high of 24 million in FY2018.
Included in the findings were Mississippi Gaming Commission
quarterly surveys – patrons by state of origin and occupancy rates
for state-licensed casino hotels, STR surveys, Mississippi Welcome
Center registration data and state park visitation.
Prior Mississippi Domestic Visitor Profile Studies indicated
two-thirds of all statewide visitors come from out of state, with
one-third representing in-state visitors. Data revealed 60 percent
were overnight stays and 40 percent were day trips. Average annual
household income for all Mississippi visitors was $71,900 with a
median income of $57,400, in FY2017. Average age of a visitor was
48; median age was 49. Average travel party size: 2.5 persons, 2.7
persons for leisure; 1.9 persons for business and 2.9 nights spent
in Mississippi. Only 4 percent of Mississippi visitors arrived by
air. Vacation activities varied with casino gamers as the largest
market, at 25 percent. Data was based on survey respondents who
traveled
at least 50 miles one way, from home, or overnighted for business
or pleasure, excluding commuters. Respondents must have traveled in
the prior 12 months.
Top 10 states of origin for Mississippi overnight leisure visitors
tend to be: Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Florida,
Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Illinois and Missouri, virtually
identical to the Top 10 states of origin, per FY2018 Highway
Welcome Center Registrants (Table 2). Top Mississippi destinations
include: Gulf Coast, Jackson area, Hattiesburg area, Tupelo, Tunica
and DeSoto counties, Vicksburg, Oxford, Meridian, Starkville,
Columbus, Natchez and Philadelphia.
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INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TO MISSISSIPPI
Per Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company, Mississippi
received 143,400 international overnight visitors in 2017, a 4.3
percent decrease versus 149,900 international visitors in 2016.
Canada comprised 38,500, or 26.8 percent of international visits in
2017, followed by the United Kingdom’s 12,600 visits, 8.8 percent
of all visits. Some other countries’ 2017 visits were Japan, 9,800;
China, 8,900; Germany, 7,100; Mexico, 4,900; France, 4,100; Italy,
3,600; India, 3,200; Brazil and Spain, 2,900 each. The 143,400
international overnight visitors spent $176.6 million. Top three
countries in spending: UK, $19.3 million; China, $16.7 million and
Japan, $14.2 million. There were fewer international overnight
visitors in 2017 versus 2016, but they spent $16.5 million more in
2017, plus 10.3 percent versus 2016.
SOME NEW AMENITIES FOR VISITORS FY2018
The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and Museum of Mississippi
History opened in Jackson in December 2017. Total estimated
visitors through September 30, 2018, was 224,844, including program
attendees. A rough estimate of out-of-state visitors was 100,000,
per Mississippi Department of Archives and History. International
visitors from 40 countries toured these museums from February -
September 2018. Brandon Amphitheater at the Quarry in Brandon –
Central Mississippi’s first amphitheater – opened in mid-April
2018. About
28 percent of its patrons came from out of state in its first
season. Its 8,000-seat Amphitheater hosted major concerts,
community events and lifestyle shows. This 250-acre site includes
running and biking trails plus a baseball complex with astro- turf
fields. The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience (The MAX)
opened to the public in downtown Meridian in late April 2018. Its
audio/ video stories communicate who, what, where, when, why and
how Mississippians have influenced all areas of the arts
globally.
M I S S I S S I P P I C I V I L R I G H T S M U S E U M - J AC K S
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ravel party registrants provide Welcome Centers with trip-related
data. Registrants provide their zip code, age range of party,
number of visitors in their party and reason for their visit. Of
2,113,594 people seen at Welcome Centers in FY2018, 1,690,884 – or
80 percent – regis- tered. Most were U.S. residents. FY2018
international travelers comprised 53,107, 3.1 percent of
registrants, versus 57,864 international registrants in FY2017, 3
percent of all registrants.
U.S. registrants decreased from 1,855,037 in FY2017 to 1,637,777 in
FY2018, -11.7 percent. International segment decreased 8.2 percent;
total registrants decreased 11.6 percent. Mississippi, Louisiana,
Texas, Alabama, Florida and Georgia held top six U.S. traveler
spots in FY2018. Canada had the most international registrants
(14,672), 27.6 percent, in FY2018. Technology and GPS systems
adversely affect stopping at Welcome Centers.
WELCOME CENTER RESERVATION SERVICE
Welcome Center reservation service enables travel counselors to
make reservations for travelers/ visitors in any hotel/motel,
bed-and-breakfast or campground accepting reservations. This
service completed its 24th year of operation in June 2018 with
$43,188 in revenue, 391 reservations and 455 room nights
booked.
T H E H AT T I E S B U RG D E P O T
T
T R A N S P O R TAT I O N
AMTRAK
Mississippi’s regional/international airports reported 934,554
scheduled enplanements, or passenger boardings from January 2018 to
December 2018, a 6.9 percent increase versus 874,226 in 2017. The
Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport enplaned 473,491
passengers, or 50.7 percent, of all 2018 passengers enplaned in
Mississippi. Its daily nonstop flights to cities and airports
included Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Denver,
Houston, Orlando-Sanford
and Washington, D.C. About $2.33 million in 2018 net capital
expenditures and improvements were done. Gulfport-Biloxi
International Airport had 369,318 enplanements in 2018. They
reported 266,231 annual revenue enplanements, 789 charter flights
and 86,568 charter passenger enplanements from October 2017 to
September 2018. Their carriers are American Airlines, Delta,
United, Allegiant and Sun Country. Cities served were Atlanta,
Charlotte, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston, Orlando-Sanford and
Tampa-St. Petersburg. Some $5.85 million in FY2018 net capital
expenditures and improvements were made. Scheduled enplanements in
2018 at other regional airports were Golden Triangle (41,250),
Meridian (19,594), Tupelo (9,947), Hattiesburg/ Laurel (9,805) and
Greenville Mid-Delta (5,276). Hattiesburg/Laurel had 12 charter
flights with 1,161 passengers; Tunica County airport had 19 charter
flights with 910 passenger enplanements from October 2017 to
September 2018.
Amtrak serves Mississippi with two long-distance trains: City of
New Orleans, daily Chicago-New Orleans service via Jackson and
Crescent, daily New Orleans-Atlanta-New York service via Meridian.
Mississippi has 11 stations with Amtrak, including Brookhaven,
Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Hazlehurst, Jackson, Laurel, McComb, Marks,
Meridian, Picayune and Yazoo City. Total FY2018 ridership in
Mississippi was 96,017, down 5.4 percent from 101,542 in FY2017.
FY2018 total U.S. Amtrak ridership was 31.7 million, 1.3 percent
above 31.3 million in FY2017. Ridership equals sum of total of
passengers boarding and disembarking. Total U.S. Amtrak passenger
FY2018 revenue was $3.38 billion, a 2.2 percent increase versus
FY2017.
6.9% INCREASE MISSISSIPPI’S REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORTS REPORTED A
I N PA S S E N G E R B OA R D I N G S FROM JANUARY 2018 TO DECEMBER
2018
VERSUS 2017
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ississippi’s 27 state-licensed casinos on March 1, 2019, included
12 on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; eight in the
northern region (Tunica/Coahoma County) and seven in the central
region (Greenville, Washington County, Natchez and
Vicksburg).
Total FY2018 state-licensed casino gross gaming revenues were
$2.076 billion, with $1.39 billion, 66.9 percent, as estimated net
traveler/visitor share. Estimated net traveler/visitor share of
gross gaming revenue made up 21.3 percent of the $6.51 billion in
statewide travel/tourism expenditures by travelers.
Mississippi’s FY2018 gaming tax revenues were $249.2 million:
$165.9 million in state receipts; $83.3 million for
cities/counties. Two-thirds of total state and local gaming tax
revenues were generated by tourism. Travel/tourism comprised $110.6
million of $165.9 million of state tax receipts and $55.3 million
of $83.3 million of city/county tax receipts.
State tax receipts from gaming generated $129.9 million for the
General Fund, $33 million to the Mississippi Department of
Transportation and $3 million to the Gulf Coast Aquarium Fund.
Gaming tax receipts generated via travel/tourism totaled $87
million, accounting for 67 percent of gaming tax receipts going
into the General Fund. Of travel/ tourism’s $405.2 million
contribution to the General Fund, 21.5 percent came through
gaming.
M
H A R D RO C K H O T E L A N D C A S I N O - B I L OX I
30.2% OF CITY/COUNTY TOURISM
TAXES CAME FROM G A M I N G AT S TAT E - L I C E N S E D C A S I N
O S
G A M I N G
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GAMING EMPLOYMENT, REVENUE AND LEGALIZED SPORTS BETTING
MISSISSIPPI GAMING COMMISSION QUARTERLY SURVEY TRENDS
Some 61.8 percent of FY2018 statewide gaming patrons reside out of
state, primarily Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois,
Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas, per Mississippi Gaming
Commission data. Casinos in the northern region had 74.7 percent of
out-of-state patrons, due to Arkansas, Tennessee, Illinois,
Missouri, Oklahoma and Alabama visitors. About 27.9 percent of the
central region casino patrons came from out of
state, e.g., Arkansas and Louisiana. Of coastal region casino
patrons, 64.1 percent lived out of state, e.g., Louisiana, Florida,
Alabama, Georgia and Texas.
State-licensed casinos plus their hotels contributed a FY2018
payroll of $676.8 million, down 0.4 percent from FY2017. FY2018
advertising and promotional expenditures attributed to
state-licensed casinos were $71 million, a 23.9-percent decrease
versus
FY2017. State-licensed casino hotel rooms increased from 11,432 in
FY2017 to 11,519 in FY2018, plus 0.8 percent. Hotel and convention
facilities hosted 1,677 conferences in FY2018 with 216,130 total
delegates, a 6.8 percent increase versus 202,289 total delegates in
FY2017. Total FY2018 ticketed show/concert attendees was 278,181, a
23.7 percent increase over 224,961 in FY2017.
The 21,562 state-licensed casino employees and casino hotel
employees were 24.1 percent of 89,610 direct travel/tourism jobs,
per FY2018 quarterly casino employment data via Mississippi
Department of Employment Security, Labor Market Information
quarterly surveys. Mississippi’s gaming expenditures by visitors
declined 0.4 percent in FY2018, versus FY2017, pre-legalized sports
betting at Mississippi casinos.
Mississippi became the fourth state to offer sports betting – 26
years to the day when Mississippi’s first state-licensed casino
opened on the Coast, August 1, 1992. Mississippi joined Nevada, New
Jersey and Delaware. Mississippi legislators passed legislation for
legalized sports betting in 2017, before the U.S. Supreme Court’s
May 2018 ruling striking down the Professional and Amateur Sports
Protection Act. Delaware offered single-game betting on
different
sports at three casinos on June 5, 2018. New Jersey sports betting
became legal June 11, 2018. West Virginia announced the completion
of sports betting regulations in June 2018, to allow for in- person
and online sports wagering, which gaming experts opine is a smart
play for millennials. New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island
also have legal sports betting.
Mississippi’s sports betting law requires in-person wagering at
casinos. A more varied age group, including millennials, appears to
be doing sports betting at state-licensed and tribal casinos in
Mississippi during FY2019, generating additional visitation and
revenue. The Mississippi Gaming Commission began producing a
monthly Sports Event Activity Report for three gaming regions in
August 2018, which is FY2019.
NON-GAMING SUMMARY OF REVENUE FOR STATE- LICENSED CASINOS
Room revenue at state-licensed casino hotels was $256.1 million in
FY2018, a 4.4 percent increase versus FY2017. FY2018
food-and-beverage revenue totaled $298.2 million, minus 1 percent
versus $301.2 million in FY2017. FY2018 other non-gaming revenue
was $118.4 million, $9 million above $109.4 million in FY2017, an
8.2 percent increase. These non-gaming dollar amounts are
significant, even though many lodging, food, beverage and other
amenities/services are complimentary.
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O U T D O O R R E C R E AT I O N
mployment, payroll and revenue figures for the Department of
Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Vicksburg’s National Military Park, Natchez’s Na- tional Historical
Park, Natchez Trace Parkway, Shiloh National Military Park/Corinth
Site and Mississippi Final Stands Interpretive Center are in
Appendices A-C. Vicksburg’s National Military Park had 466,005
recreation visits in FY2018. Natchez’s National Histor- ical Park
had 322,209 recreation visits in FY2018. The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers’ Tenn-Tom Waterway visitation was 815,000, with an
estimated 750,000 on its Mississippi portion. Hunting, fishing and
other wildlife-related activities entice visitors to Mississippi.
Travel parties spend money on food, lodging, trans- portation,
fuel, fishing/hunting equipment, auxiliary and special
equipment.
Camping and RV travel play significant roles in Mis- sissippi’s
travel/tourism economy. Mississippi houses 14,197 RV spaces with
electricity and water, and 1,808 camp sites without hook-up, per a
2018 survey. The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (parts of
Hinds, Leake, Madison, Rankin and Scott counties) reported 2.75
million visitors in FY2018. Mississippi’s state parks have 1,628
camp sites. State park figures show a 15.1 percent increase in
FY2018 visitation versus FY2017, via 1.04 million in FY2017 to 1.2
million in FY2018. The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
reported $9.34 million in FY2018 non-resident licensing sales
versus $9.28 million in FY2017.
E
AND PARKS REPORTED
IN FY2018 NON-RESIDENT LICENSING SALES VERSUS $9.28 MILLION IN
FY2017
P R A I R I E W I L D L I F E - W E S T P O I N T
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TOURISM CAPITAL INVESTMENT FY2018 SURVEYS (OCTOBER 2017 - SEPTEMBER
2018)
Y2018 tourism capital investment data were updated, with input from
city and county building permit departments, Dodge
Data Analytics and state agencies. Tourism capital investment
valuation is based on commercial permits issued and tourism factors
for new construction and expansion and/or renovation of
tourism-related businesses and projects. Dollar amounts reflect
estimated 12-month contract construction costs and permit fees, but
not land acquisition costs, site prep, planning, casino or business
equipment purchasing costs, condo flipping, furniture and fixtures.
Many entities do not furnish data, and some data are not readily
available. Tourism capital investment is a net travel/tourism
estimate since it focuses on travel/ tourism construction; e.g.,
Mississippi Department
of Transportation spent $6,425,371 to maintain welcome centers and
rest areas.
Total estimated FY2017 statewide tourism capital investment was
$251.8 million, based on data secured, and $246.2 million in
FY2018, $5.6 million less – a 2.2 percent decrease. Approximately
$116.6 million, 47.4 percent of FY2018 tourism capital investment,
was from private sources, while $129.6 million, 52.6 percent, came
from federal, state/local government sources. Tourism capital
investment, on average, was $254.8 million per year for the past
seven years (FY2012 - FY2018).
Mississippi Gulf Coast’s $103 million in FY2018 tourism capital
investment was 41.8 percent of the state’s total. Major projects
included the Mississippi
Aquarium in Gulfport, a casino project in Gulfport, a hotel in
Biloxi and a transportation terminal.
Jackson’s metropolitan statistical area – Copiah, Hinds, Madison,
Rankin, Simpson and Yazoo counties – combined FY2018 tourism
capital investment was $35.7 million, with Hinds County accounting
for $16.4 million and Rankin County almost $12 million. Projects
included two new hotels in Jackson; retail and restaurants in
Madison (city) and Ridgeland, the Brandon Amphitheater and baseball
complex, plus restaurants in Flowood.
DeSoto County’s $6.5 million in tourism capital investment
comprised retail projects, plus construction of a new hotel.
Tupelo’s $6.2 million for FY2018 tourism capital investment
S TAT E T R AV E L / T O U R I S M L I N K S
F
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$5,728,253 FOUR FEATURE FILMS AND FIVE TV SERIES
SPENT AN ESTIMATED
WITH MISSISSIPPI BUSINESSES
covered Visitor Center remodeling, fairgrounds redevelopment, movie
theater renovations, retail renovations and convenience store/gas
station buildout and infrastructure. Oxford/ Lafayette County
tourism capital investment was $17.3 million, including two hotels,
a downtown parking garage, restaurants, retail and other
infrastructure. Starkville/Oktibbeha County tourism capital
investment totaled $3.2 million, mainly for infrastructure-related
work. Marshall County’s $2.8 million in tourism capital investment
was on infrastructure.
The Hattiesburg area, Forrest/Lamar/Perry counties, had $7.6
million in FY2018 tourism capital investment, including
restaurants, hotel completion and infrastructure.
Meridian/Lauderdale County’s FY2018 tourism capital investment of
$15.1 million primarily comprised final construction of the
Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience and initial
construction of a new downtown hotel and airport infrastructure.
Natchez had $1.1 million in FY2018 tourism capital investment, with
park, restaurant and retail renovations. Vicksburg’s $1.1 million
in FY2018 tourism capital investment included a Catfish Row Museum
and Farmers Market renovations.
FILM PRODUCTIONS
Four independent features were filmed in Mississippi in 2018, plus
five reality-based television series and one feature documentary.
The four features produced in Mississippi in 2018 included
“Hallowed Ground,” “Ma,” “Payment Received” and “The Craving.” The
documentary feature was “Little Brother of War.” Reality series
were “Between the Pines,” “Bring It! Season 5,” “Gulf South
Outdoors,” “Hammer to the Manor” and “Home Town Season 3.”
Combined, these projects amounted to an estimated 300 production
days across the state, from Natchez to Starkville, the Gulf Coast
to Choctaw and Jackson to Hattiesburg/Laurel. They spent an
estimated $5,728,253 with Mississippi businesses and had a combined
local payroll of $2,964,361. Production was scattered throughout
Mississippi, with Laurel/Hattiesburg and the Starkville/West
Point/Columbus Golden Triangle especially busy with HGTV’s series,
along with features “The Craving” and “Hallowed Ground.”
Most of the productions stemmed from producers who have previously
worked in the state.
Since the peak year of 2016, applications for the Mississippi
Motion Picture Incentive Program declined 62 percent (48 to 18
percent); production of feature films diminished 73 percent (15 to
4); crew and support services listings within the Reel Crew
database have dropped 32 percent (902 to 617); and estimated
salaries for Mississippi residents based on rebate applications
decreased 80 percent ($6.6 million to $1.3 million).
The Mississippi Film Office supported professional production
alliances located in Jackson and on the Coast and sponsored and
provided programming support to statewide film festivals and
related events. Indigenous filmmaking was directly supported by
continuing to fund Mississippi’s Emerging Filmmakers Grant Program
administered by the Mississippi Film Alliance.
M I S S I S S I P P I A R T S + E N T E R TA I N M E N T E X P E R
I E N C E - M E R I D I A N
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TRAVEL/TOURISM EMPLOYMENT MULTIPLIERS
TRAVEL/TOURISM LABOR INCOME MULTIPLIERS
The state gross domestic product, part of national GDP, is a
comprehensive measure of economic output used by all 50 states,
D.C. and U.S. territories. Travel/ tourism’s share of GDP can be
estimated via state-level travel/tourism accounts, a broader view
focusing on the circular flow of goods and services in the economy
between tourism industry supply and the impact of tourism commodity
demand. Estimates include travel/ tourism’s statewide contribution
as a direct percentage of state GDP, plus indirect and induced
share of travel/ tourism employment and labor income, effective tax
rates for personal income tax, sales tax, other taxes.
The direct effects of total value added from Mississippi’s
statewide travel/tourism data were matched to their description in
IMPLAN – a nationally recognized economic contribution model to
estimate economic activity associated with the sale of goods
or services – for gasoline stations, lodging, food services and
drinking establishments and other codes to estimate direct value
added as a portion of state GDP. Mississippi’s FY2018 GDP in
current dollars was estimated at $111.1 billion using quarterly
figures, per the Bureau of Economic Analysis and University
Research Center, Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning.
Travel/tourism’s 2.4 percent direct value added to GDP is lower
than its 7.7 percent direct employment concentration and 7.4
percent share of General Fund revenues. Total value added for
travel/ tourism including indirect and induced impact was 3.8
percent, similar to Leisure and Hospitality’s supersector portion
of Mississippi’s GDP.
The direct portion only of food services and drinking
establishments, lodging, casino gaming, gasoline stations/other
retail, recreation and transportation
were part of travel/tourism industry GDP. Casino gaming, food
services and drinking establishments and lodging were a major
portion of this.
Mississippi’s 4.7 percent unemployment rate was based on a 12-month
moving average, January - December 2018, versus 5 percent, January
- December 2017. The civilian labor force was 1.28 million, with an
average of 59,900 unemployed, 2018. Metropolitan Statistical Areas
for counties with major travel/tourism activity had unemployment
rates of 4.8 percent for Gulfport/ Biloxi/Pascagoula (Hancock,
Harrison and Jackson counties); 4.1 percent for Hattiesburg
(Forrest, Lamar and Perry); 4.1 percent for Jackson (Copiah, Hinds,
Madison, Rankin, Simpson and Yazoo). DeSoto County’s 2018
unemployment rate was 3.6 percent; Tunica County was 5
percent.
IMPLAN uses indirect (business or firm level) and induced (personal
or individual level) multipliers. Together – direct plus indirect
plus induced, then divided by the direct contribution – they
estimate employment multipliers filtered through a social
accounting matrix. Employment multipliers for FY2017 and FY2018 for
Mississippi were 1.43 apiece. The 87,335 statewide direct FY2017
travel/tourism jobs resulted in an additional 37,345 indirect plus
induced jobs. The 89,610 statewide FY2018 direct travel/
tourism jobs resulted in 38,100 indirect plus induced jobs. FY2018
jobs associated with travel/tourism totaled 127,710, 11 percent of
nonfarm employment. The 127,710 total direct, indirect and induced
tourism jobs in FY2018 were 3,030 more than 124,680 estimated in
FY2017 - a 2.4 percent increase.
Payroll or labor income earned by an employee results in additional
money spent by the firm (indirect) and individual (induced). FY2017
travel/tourism labor income multiplier for Mississippi was 1.58.
Total labor income for FY2017 was $3.02 billion, with $1.91 billion
direct and $1.11 billion in indirect and induced income.
Mississippi’s FY2018 travel/tourism labor income multiplier was
1.61, with $1.97 billion in direct and $1.2 billion in indirect and
induced or secondary income, for total labor income of $3.17
billion. IMPLAN codes were used to compute multipliers.
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LIMITATIONSDELIMITATIONS
This study is delimited to travel/tourism businesses in
Mississippi’s 82 counties. Private, public, nonprofit and
quasi-public firms directly and indirectly affected by
travel/tourism are represented.
This study should be interpreted only for Mississippi and is
limited by challenges of providing a comprehensive and local view
of travel/tourism expenditures. Travel/tourism businesses cover a
broad range of North American Industry Classification System codes.
Assumptions were made for certain employment and revenue categories
based on their travel/tourism links. These assumptions may be
adjusted in light of future research. The study is limited by not
having access to automotive gasoline sales for 79 of the state’s 82
counties (statewide data are available and estimates are computed
for some counties). The Department of Revenue’s Petroleum Tax
Division provides disbursements for the Hancock,
Harrison and Jackson County Seawall Tax. This facilitates county
revenue data from net taxable gallons sold.
This study uses statewide employment and labor income multipliers
from IMPLAN, but not county level multipliers. Multipliers from a
statewide input-output model cannot be modified on a short- term
basis for use by counties/cities. County level limitations include
the difficulty in assigning percent figures in traveler/visitor
sales as a proportion of total sales. EMSI software data were used
to secure more complete information on self-employed individuals,
e.g., some who are part of the sharing economy.
METHODS
This report estimated travel/tourism’s FY2018 statewide economic
contribution, including the General Fund portion, attributable to
travel/ tourism. County indicators include estimated travel/
tourism jobs (direct only), expenditures and capital investment.
Room/restaurant tax revenues are presented for pertinent
cities/counties. Some counties have economies more geared to
travel/tourism. Surveys, reports and other parameters were used to
make these estimates.
Other trends – visitor profile/special survey data, Welcome Center
highlights and airport passenger data – are covered. Surveys were
secured for federal entities with an October to September fiscal
year: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Columbus Office, Natchez
National Historic Park, Vicksburg National
Military Park and Mississippi Final Stands Interpretive Center.
Most of Mississippi’s convention and visitor bureaus are on an
October to September fiscal year, but the Mississippi Department of
Revenue compiles tax revenue information on a monthly and state
fiscal year basis. They provided statewide and county revenue
figures and facilitated sales and tax collections for food and
beverage, lodging, retail trade, transportation, attractions,
entertainment and recreation.
Mississippi Gaming Commission monthly surveys supply lodging data
for state-licensed casino hotels and advertising expenditures.
Other state agencies surveyed with a travel/tourism connection
include the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and
Parks, and the Pearl River Water Supply District.
FY2018 employment and payroll data were calculated from quarterly
figures compiled by Mississippi Department of Employment Security,
Labor Market Information. Other state/local and federal agencies,
tourism offices and museums, furnished employment/payroll survey
data. Estimated statewide travel/tourism expenditures are included
by category. Statewide retail level petroleum purchases and
revenues were calculated via self-service unleaded gas price
averages for regular, mid-grade and premium fuel reported by AAA’s
web site. Sources for sales of petroleum products into Mississippi
were MDA Energy Division, Mississippi Department of Revenue and
Mississippi Department of Transportation. Mississippi Department of
Revenue’s Petroleum Tax Division provided sales/collections data
for gasoline and undyed diesel fuel at 18 cents per gallon.
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CATEGORY FY2017 FY2018 CHANGE
Retail trade (4) 10,139 10,006 -1.3%
Support activities, air transportation (5) 1,719 1,767 2.8%
Air passenger, scheduled and chartered (5) 217 216 -0.5%
Scenic and sightseeing transportation 56 67 19.6%
Charter bus industry 114 129 13.2%
Taxi and limo service 48 47 -2.1%
Amtrak, other bus transportation 70 71 1.4%
Sub-total, transportation 2,224 2,297 3.3%
Travel arrangement/reservations 388 381 -1.8%
Passenger car rental 388 373 -3.9%
Automotive repair and maintenance services 319 323 1.3%
Parking lots/garages 13 14 7.7%
Advertising and related services 249 256 2.8%
Laundry services 130 126 -3.1%
Sub-total, other services 1,487 1,473 -0.9%
Motion picture theaters 147 152 3.4%
Motion picture and video production 163 149 -8.6%
Museums, historical sights and similar (6) 345 357 3.5%
Performing arts, spectator sports and related 647 715 10.5%
Amusement parks, bowling, golf courses, marinas 1,185 1,234
4.1%
Federal, state, local tourism agencies/offices (7) 652 636
-2.5%
Selected convention centers and arenas 92 99 7.6%
Gaming, lodging, other at tribal resorts (8) 1,820 1,820 none
Selected outdoor recreation (9) 516 530 2.7%
Construction (10) 1,715 1,670 -2.6%
Self-Employment: tourism-related jobs (11) NA 1,890 NA
Total 87,335 89,610 2.6%
A P P E N D I X A Estimated travel and tourism direct employment,
FY2017 and FY2018
1. Alcohol/non-alcohol restaurants, drinking places, other
establishments. 2. Estimates based on Mississippi Department of
Employment Security data for
hotels/motels, other travel accommodations, RV parks/recreational
camps, some residential property managers. Excludes state-licensed
casino/tribal casino/ resort hotels.
3. Based on Mississippi Department of Employment Security/Labor
Market Information and Mississippi Gaming Commission quarterly
surveys; data include state-licensed casinos and employees.
4. FY2017 and FY2018 Mississippi Department of Employment
Security/Labor Market Information covered employment statewide data
were used for full-time equivalent figure. Includes the following:
department stores, warehouse clubs and superstores; apparel and
accessories, gift/novelty/souvenir, jewelry, leather goods,
luggage; entertainment/arts stores - book, camera, electronics,
florist, photography, sporting goods; food stores - grocery,
specialty; general merchandise - antiques, drug/pharmacy, second
hand, tobacco; motor vehicle dealers – boat, RV, motorcycle,
cars/trucks; automotive dealers - accessories, parts, tires,
gasoline stations/convenience stores.
5. Reflects noncargo jobs only. Includes some federal/local
government support jobs. 6. Includes Mississippi Department of
Archives and History and Mississippi Museum
of Natural Science data. 7. Includes local tourism offices,
Mississippi Arts Commission, Mississippi Final
Stands Interpretive Center, Mississippi Gaming Commission, Natchez
National Historical Park, Natchez Trace Parkway, Pearl River Water
Supply District, Shiloh National Military Park/Corinth, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers/Columbus Office and Vicksburg District.
Vicksburg National Military Park, Visit Mississippi, Welcome Center
staff.
8. Reflects estimated gaming/non-gaming employment at tribal
resorts. 9. Includes some estimated agricultural tourism employment
– outfitters, hunting/
fishing guides and Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries
and Parks – Parks Unit.
10. Reflects estimated travel/tourism-related construction activity
only. 11. Estimated for the first time in FY2018 via EMSI data for
pertinent NAICS codes.
SOURCES: Convention and visitor bureaus/tourism offices and cities;
Mississippi Arts Commission; Mississippi Department of Archives and
History; Mississippi Department of Employment Security–Labor Market
Information; Mississippi Department of Revenue; Mississippi
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; Mississippi Gaming
Commission; Natchez National Historical Park; Pearl River Water
Supply District; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/ Columbus Office;
U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service; Mississippi
Final Stands Interpretive Center; Natchez National Historical Park;
Natchez Trace Parkway; Shiloh National Military Park/Corinth;
Vicksburg National Military Park; Visit Mississippi
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A P P E N D I X B Estimated travel and tourism direct payroll, by
component, FY2017 and FY2018
1. Excludes payroll of state-licensed casino and Pearl River Resort
casino hotels. 2. Includes payroll of all work permitted/non-work
permitted employees at state-
licensed casinos/casino hotels. Excludes estimated payroll of Pearl
River Resort casino employees. Reflects state-licensed casino
payroll data July 2016-June 2017 and July 2017-June 2018.
3. FY2017 and FY2018 Mississippi Department of Employment
Security/Labor Market Information covered wages data were used.
Includes the following: Department stores, warehouse clubs and
superstores; apparel and accessories, gift/novelty/ souvenir,
jewelry, leather goods, luggage; entertainment/arts stores - book,
camera, electronics, florist, photography, sporting goods; Food
stores - grocery, specialty; General merchandise - antiques,
drug/pharmacy, secondhand, tobacco; Motor vehicle dealers - boat,
RV, motorcycle, cars/trucks; Automotive dealers - accessories,
parts, tires, gasoline stations/convenience stores.
4. Includes local tourism offices, Mississippi Arts Commission,
Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Mississippi Final
Stands Interpretive Center, Mississippi Gaming Commission, Natchez
National Historical Park, Natchez Trace Parkway, Pearl River Basin
Development District, Pearl River Water Supply District, Shiloh
National Military Park/Corinth, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers/Columbus Office, Vicksburg National Military Park, Visit
Mississippi, Welcome Center staff.
5. Reflects estimated payroll at tribal resort gaming/tribal
non-gaming venues only. 6. Includes some estimated agricultural
tourism employment – outfitters,
hunting/fishing guides and Mississippi Department of Wildlife,
Fisheries and Parks – Parks Unit.
7. Reflects estimated travel/tourism-related construction activity
only. 8. Estimated for the first time in FY2018 via EMSI data for
pertinent NAICS codes.
SOURCES: Convention and visitor bureaus and other tourism offices
and cities; Mississippi Arts Commission; Mississippi Department of
Archives and History; Mississippi Department of Employment
Security–Labor Market Information; Mississippi Department of
Revenue; Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks;
Mississippi Gaming Commission; National Military Park/Corinth;
Pearl River Water Supply District; U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers/Columbus Office; U.S. Department of the Interior,
National Park Service; Mississippi Final Stands Interpretive
Center; Natchez National Historical Park; Natchez Trace Parkway;
Shiloh National Military Park/Corinth; Vicksburg National Military
Park; Visit Mississippi
CATEGORY FY2017 FY2018 CHANGE
Lodging (1) $216,100,416 $226,820,580 5.0%
Gaming (2) $676,788,839 $660,334,956 -2.4%
Retail trade (3) $203,770,921 $204,077,157 0.2%
Support activities, air transportation 82,359,045 79,628,415
-3.3%
Air passenger, scheduled and chartered 8,349,490 8,557,847
2.5%
Scenic and sightseeing transportation 1,261,824 1,130,125
-10.4%
Charter bus industry 3,150,815 3,879,565 23.1%
Taxi and limo service 841,495 919,346 9.3%
Amtrak, other bus transportation 5,079,889 5,236,160 3.1%
Sub-total, transportation $101,042,558 $99,351,458 -1.7%
Travel arrangement/reservations 11,260,578 12,441,503 10.5%
Passenger car rental 9,654,561 9,772,121 1.2%
Automotive repair and maintenance services 11,211,753 11,251,182
0.4%
Parking lots/garages 209,759 240,484 14.6%
Advertising and related services 9,304,683 9,296,982 -0.1%
Laundry services 2,866,100 2,799,976 -2.3%
Sub-total, other services $44,507,434 $45,802,248 2.9%
Motion picture theaters 1,515,610 1,631,771 7.7%
Motion picture and video production 8,946,397 7,459,990
-16.6%
Museums, historical sights and similar 10,282,886 11,307,151
10.0%
Performing arts, spectator sports, related 14,801,592 15,826,025
6.9%
Amusement parks, bowling, golf courses, marinas 20,347,360
21,287,125 4.6%
Selected convention centers and arenas 2,655,600 3,181,781
19.8%
Federal, state, local tourism agencies (4) 40,229,677 39,445,423
-1.9%
Gaming, lodging, other at tribal resorts (5) 56,000,000 55,710,000
-0.5%
Selected outdoor recreation (6) 9,246,071 9,420,092 1.9%
Construction (7) $67,033,281 $67,667,260 0.9%
Self-Employment: tourism-related jobs (8) NA 44,403,905 NA
Total $1,909,068,535 $1,972,072,073 3.3%
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CATEGORY FY2017 FY2018 CHANGE
Specialty food, liquor stores and vending machines 118,884,127
116,941,906 -1.6%
Lodging (2) 960,970,032 1,001,747,393 4.2%
Gaming (3) 1,395,229,616 1,388,956,578 -0.4%
All retail, excluding gasoline/service stations (4) 1,681,415,185
1,660,674,691 -1.2%
Gasoline/service stations, convenience stores with fuel 718,759,839
805,282,685 12.0%
Fixed facilities, air transportation (5) 7,613,890 7,957,798
4.5%
Passenger car rental leasing 54,536,302 61,870,722 13.4%
Auto repair shops, accessories, mechanics, car wash 59,230,187
61,511,614 3.9%
Rail and water passenger transportation (6) 11,260,036 8,417,970
-25.2%
Entertainment/athletic events/outdoor recreation (7) 95,285,437
104,544,592 9.7%
Laundries, dry cleaning 4,979,285 4,051,030 -18.6%
Total $6,342,974,647 $6,513,833,689 2.7%
A P P E N D I X C Estimated travel and tourism expenditures by
visitors, FY2017 and FY2018
Note: These are nominal dollar amounts NOT adjusted for
inflation.
1. Includes all restaurants and drinking establishments. 2. FY2017
lodging figures reflects some adjustments, based on STR monthly
survey
data for Mississippi cities/regions. 3. Net travel/visitor gross
gaming revenues for 28 state-licensed casinos in FY2017
and 27 in FY2018. 4. Includes the following: department stores,
warehouse clubs and superstores;
apparel and accessories, gift/novelty/souvenir, jewelry, leather
goods, luggage; entertainment/arts stores - book, camera,
electronics, florist, musical instruments, photography, sporting
goods; food stores - grocery, specialty; gaming retail; general
merchandise - antiques, drug/pharmacy, liquor, secondhand, tobacco;
motor vehicle dealers - boat, RV, motorcycle, cars/trucks;
automotive dealers - accessories, parts, tires, gasoline
stations/convenience stores.
5. Air transportation/air terminal/transportation services -
includes gross airport non-operating revenues for FY2017 and
FY2018, based on scheduled/charter passenger service/passenger
facility charges. Incomplete data for FY2017 and FY2018.
6. Includes Amtrak ticket sales for FY2017 and FY2018. 7.
Entertainment/recreation component includes amusement/theme parks,
golf
courses, bowling centers, motion picture theaters, museums,
racetracks, spectator sports, zoos/botanical gardens, marinas;
other amusement/recreation industry – major university sporting
event ticket sales to persons residing 50 miles or more from
venue.
SOURCES: American Automobile Association web site; Amtrak Station
revenue e-searches; Mississippi Department of Revenue; Mississippi
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; Mississippi
Development Authority Energy Division; Mississippi Gaming
Commission; STR monthly survey data for Mississippi cities/regions;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/ Columbus Office; U.S. Department of
the Interior, National Park Service: Mississippi Final Stands
Interpretive Center; Natchez National Historical Park; Shiloh
National Military Park/Corinth Site; Vicksburg National Military
Park; Visit Mississippi
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A P P E N D I X D Estimated travel and tourism general fund
revenue, FY2017 and FY2018
Note: All dollar amounts are estimated “net” travel/tourism
portion. 1. STR statewide/city data reviewed for this estimate. 2.
Approximately $87 million (67 percent) of $129.9 million in General
Fund gaming
fees and tax transfers were “net” travel/tourism. Remaining $42.9
million (33 percent) did not attribute to travel/tourism. Excludes
$33 million diverted to MDOT’s Bond Sinking Fund and $3 million to
Gulf Coast Aquarium Fund.
3. Includes the following: department stores; warehouse clubs and
superstores; apparel and accessories, miscellaneous, retail,
gift/novelty/souvenir, jewelry, leather goods, luggage;
entertainment/arts stores - book, camera, electronics, florist,
musical instruments, photography, sporting goods; food stores -
grocery, specialty; gaming retail; general merchandise - antiques,
drug/pharmacy, liquor, secondhand, tobacco; motor vehicle dealers -
boat, RV, motorcycle, cars/trucks; automotive parts and accessory
stores, tire dealers, gasoline stations/ convenience stores.
4. Includes transportation services, fixed facilities - air/water
passenger transportation.
5. Entertainment/recreation includes amusement/theme parks, golf
courses, bowling centers, motion picture theaters, museums,
racetracks, spectator sports, zoos/botanical gardens, marinas;
other amusement/recreation industry – major university sporting
event ticket sales to persons residing 50 miles or more from
venue.
6. Estimated travel/tourism-related portion of General Fund based
on tourism capital investment.
7. Estimated travel/tourism-related portion of General Fund amount,
based on estimated effective tax rates for personal income, sales
tax and all other taxes.
8. FY2018 estimate comprised 87.2 percent of total transfers to
General Fund and applying a travel/tourism factor.
9. FY2018 estimate comprised 76.2 percent of total transfers to
General Fund and applying a travel/tourism factor.
SOURCES: Mississippi Department of Employment Security, Labor
Market Information; Mississippi Department of Revenue; Mississippi
Development Authority Energy Division; STR (monthly survey data for
Mississippi cities/regions); University Research Center,
Mississippi Public Universities; Visit Mississippi
CATEGORY FY2017 FY2018 CHANGE
Specialty food, liquor stores, vending machines 4,989,165 4,917,806
-1.4%
Lodging (1) 38,950,000 40,668,481 4.4%
State-licensed casino gaming (2) 88,500,000 87,019,600 -1.7%
All retail, including convenience stores (3) 70,210,260 69,745,266
-0.7%
Rental and leasing, other transportation (4) 2,192,276 2,300,000
4.9%
Auto repair shops, accessories, mechanics, car wash 2,469,106
2,571,859 4.2%
Entertainment/outdoor recreation (5) 3,227,195 3,546,290 9.9%
Laundries, dry cleaning 210,755 166,214 -21.1%
Construction activity tax (6) 4,900,000 4,753,000 -3.0%
Personal income/sales tax (7) 106,616,093 109,729,500 2.9%
Alcoholic beverages (8) 15,499,623 16,055,082 3.6%
Use tax (9) 9,233,893 9,562,863 3.6%
Total $398,650,121 $405,200,717 1.6%
F Y 2 0 1 8 M I S S I S S I P P I T O U R I S M E C O N O M I C C O
N T R I B U T I O N R E P O R T
County
Travel and Tourism
Employment Percentage (2)
Gulf Coast (4) 2,041,493,419 26,600 17.3 233,063,095
59,380,106
George 10,188,195 145 2.9 763,286 365,518
Greene 1,788,028 25 1.3 170,089 528,445
Grenada 49,622,844 760 6.9 4,264,374 210,362
Hattiesburg area (5) 278,090,099 4,270 6.7 25,759,988
20,714,714
Hinds 361,888,895 6,940 5.3 36,323,457 33,210,372
Holmes 3,045,332 45 1.3 271,270 1,839,334
Humphreys 2,117,860 30 1.5 189,821 22,626
A P P E N D I X E Estimated county travel and tourism expenditures,
employment, taxes, tourism capital investment, FY2017
County
Travel and Tourism
Employment Percentage (2)
Jefferson Davis 2,451,357 35 2.1 216,821 103,904
Jones 60,943,936 860 3.0 5,405,948 679,727
Kemper 1,461,956 22 0.8 148,958 21,432
Lafayette 174,182,732 2,200 9.2 15,378,901 10,066,499
Lauderdale 159,483,512 1,990 5.8 14,764,730 12,450,633
Lawrence 2,691,963 38 1.5 227,641 0
Leake 7,920,425 115 2.4 656,151 472,116
Lee 263,893,916 3,925 7.0 23,231,894 11,268,922
Leflore 50,702,657 745 5.4 3,891,836 1,183,727
Lincoln 37,447,390 500 4.2 3,193,232 0
Lowndes 114,237,534 1,525 5.9 10,842,105 527,318
Madison 236,112,378 3,040 5.2 18,792,957 1,270,701
Marion 12,056,334 155 1.9 900,139 82,945
Marshall 15,864,277 220 3.5 1,316,993 4,947,857
Monroe 16,979,463 235 2.4 1,262,536 1,254,598
Montgomery 11,556,775 155 6.2 1,007,995 93,058
Neshoba (6) 36,028,487 1,975 16.2 3,059,943 338,379
Newton 6,436,984 90 1.6 506,396 29,454
Noxubee 5,008,195 70 2.6 425,535 0
Oktibbeha 100,073,163 1,360 6.1 8,838,992 15,899,310
Panola 49,028,172 660 6.0 4,162,688 992,864
Pearl River 30,591,265 410 4.0 2,524,390 456,946
F Y 2 0 1 8 M I S S I S S I P P I T O U R I S M E C O N O M I C C O
N T R I B U T I O N R E P O R T
A P P E N D I X E - C O N T I N U E D Estimated county travel and
tourism expenditures, employment, taxes, tourism capital
investment, FY2017
1. Nominal dollar amounts – not adjusted for inflation. Appendix E
reflects July 2016- June 2017 data.
2. Travel/tourism employment percentage equals estimated direct
tourism jobs divided by county level establishment based nonfarm
employment. Data are based on where employees work, not reside.
Travel/tourism employment estimates are lower than
leisure/hospitality figures.
3. Estimated state/local travel/tourism taxes from travel/visitor
expenditures and other activity. Includes 7 percent sales tax and
18.5 percent portion diverted to cities, state-licensed casinos,
seawall and city/county, room/restaurant special taxes, motor
vehicle rental and petroleum tax diversions to counties; Alcohol
Beverage Control county share of permit license fees/excise taxes;
beer/wine taxes; use taxes; tourism capital investment local permit
fees; real/personal property taxes (hotels/casinos and restaurants
in some counties). Data attributable to travel/tourism.
4. Gulf Coast reflects combined data for Hancock, Harrison and
Jackson counties. 5. Hattiesburg area reflects combined data for
Forrest, Lamar and Perry counties. 6. Neshoba County employment
figures reflect estimated Pearl River Resort
employment from separate sources. Pearl River Resort travel/tourism
expenditures by visitors not available.
7. Other includes estimated gasoline sales/taxes for some
Mississippi counties – diesel fuel sales, nonresident license sales
by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
(under fees) and use taxes. Sales and tax collections not traced to
specific counties are included. Appendix E has estimated travel/
tourism expenditures at state-licensed casinos in the following
counties: Adams, Coahoma, Hancock, Harrison, Tunica, Warren and
Washington. The 83rd Division restaurant and lodging sales are
included here; 83rd Division cannot be traced to a county. Local
motor vehicle rental taxes are included. Local motor vehicle rental
taxes are included. Employment estimates for some self-employed
persons in tourism-related businesses are embedded in some
counties.
SOURCES: Chambers of commerce and other economic
development/tourism offices; county tax assessors/collectors; Dodge
Data Analytics; Mississippi Department of Employment Security/Labor
Market Information; Mississippi Department of Revenue; Mississippi
Department of Transportation; Mississippi Department of Wildlife,
Fisheries and Parks; Mississippi Gaming Commission
County
Travel and Tourism
Employment Percentage (2)
Other (7) 160,997,165 14,848,978 6,373,877
Total $6,342,974,647 87,335 7.6 $646,287,298 $251,789,741
F Y 2 0 1 8 M I S S I S S I P P I T O U R I S M E C O N O M I C C O
N T R I B U T I O N R E P O R T
County
Travel and Tourism
Employment Percentage (2)
Gulf Coast (4) 2,122,267,112 28,200 18.2 237,573,894
103,008,624
Hattiesburg area (5)
Hinds 366,474,790 7,000 5.3 36,670,419 16,445,093
Holmes 2,945,727 42 1.2 265,469 345,433
Humphreys 2,102,313 30 1.4 189,098 70,038
Issaquena 118,397 2 1.1 10,839 123,465
A P P E N D I X F Estimated county travel and tourism expenditures,
employment, taxes, tourism capital investment, FY2018
County
Travel and Tourism
Employment Percentage (2)
Jefferson Davis
Jones 63,004,583 890 3.3 5,692,362 266,773
Kemper 1,373,182 20 0.9 143,500 348,727
Lafayette 176,829,942 2,250 9.1 16,262,645 17,337,346
Lauderdale 158,975,637 2,000 5.8 14,855,869 15,133,082
Lawrence 2,679,466 38 1.6 228,346 977
Leake 8,294,738 118 2.5 694,155 153,288
Lee 271,507,482 4,030 7.2 23,393,980 6,241,323
Leflore 51,780,153 750 5.4 4,040,469 564,516
Lincoln 38,748,330 510 4.2 3,212,484 432,778
Lowndes 115,000,664 1,535 6.0 10,557,307 566,585
Madison 237,698,788 3,060 5.1 18,790,786 6,004,852
Marion 12,599,653 160 2.0 925,338 42,721
Marshall 16,966,802 235 3.4 1,397,424 2,832,150
Monroe 16,701,214 235 2.4 1,248,389 458,974
Montgomery 12,078,966 155 6.6 1,261,131 596,794
Neshoba (6) 34,709,376 1,960 15.9 2,949,599 14,847
Newton 6,434,625 90 1.7 506,108 591,444
Noxubee 5,033,014 70 2.9 420,550 149,213
Oktibbeha 104,273,945 1,410 6.3 10,743,150 3,242,460
Panola 50,171,629 675 6.4 4,192,375 2,330,521
Pearl River 31,075,731 415 3.9 2,586,685 1,349,517
Pike 41,277,092 580 4.0 3,840,580 3,842,358
Pontotoc 11,277,677 150 1.2 865,806 81,539
F Y 2 0 1 8 M I S S I S S I P P I T O U R I S M E C O N O M I C C O
N T R I B U T I O N R E P O R T
A P P E N D I X F - C O N T I N U E D Estimated county travel and
tourism expenditures, employment, taxes, tourism capital
investment, FY2018
1. Nominal dollar amounts not adjusted for inflation. Appendix F
reflects July 2017- June 2018 data.
2. Travel/tourism employment percentage equals estimated direct
tourism jobs divided by county level establishment based nonfarm
employment. Data based on where the employees work, not reside.
Travel/tourism employment estimates are lower than
leisure/hospitality figures.
3. Estimated state/local travel/tourism taxes from travel/visitor
expenditures and other activity. Includes 7 percent sales tax and
18.5 percent portion diverted to cities, state-licensed casinos,
seawall and city/county, state-licensed casino gaming,
room/restaurant special taxes, motor vehicle rental and petroleum
tax diversions to counties; Alcohol Beverage Control county share
of permit license fees/excise taxes; beer/wine taxes; use taxes;
tourism capital investment local permit fees; real/personal
property taxes (hotels/casinos and restaurants in some counties).
Data attributable to travel/tourism.
4. Gulf Coast reflects combined data for Hancock, Harrison and
Jackson counties. 5. Hattiesburg area reflects combined data for
Forrest, Lamar and Perry counties. 6. Neshoba County employment
figures reflect estimated Pearl River Resort
employment from separate sources. Pearl River Resort travel/tourism
expenditures by visitors not available.
7. Other includes estimated gasoline sales/taxes for some
Mississippi counties, diesel fuel sales, the non-resident license
sales by the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks (under
fees) and use taxes. Sales and tax collections not traced to
specific counties are included. Appendix F has estimated
travel/tourism expenditures at state-licensed casinos in these
counties: Adams, Coahoma, Hancock, Harrison, Tunica, Warren and
Washington. The 83rd Division restaurant and lodging sales are
included here; 83rd Division cannot be traced to a county. Local
motor vehicle rental taxes are included. Employment estimates for
some self-employed persons in tourism-related businesses are
embedded in some counties.
SOURCES: Chambers of commerce and other economic
development/tourism offices; county tax assessors/collectors; Dodge
Data Analytics; Mississippi Department of Employment Security/Labor
Market Information; Mississippi Department of Revenue; Mississippi
Department of Transportation; Mississippi Department of Wildlife,
Fisheries and Parks Mississippi Gaming Commission
County
Travel and Tourism
Employment Percentage (2)
Other (7) 176,716,802 23,391,851 6,425,371
Total $6,513,833,690 89,610 7.7 $665,100,235 $246,188,526
F Y 2 0 1 8 M I S S I S S I P P I T O U R I S M E C O N O M I C C O
N T R I B U T I O N R E P O R T
Capital/River Region Coastal Region Delta Region Hills Region Pines
Region
Adams Covington Bolivar Alcorn Attala
Amite Forrest Carroll Benton Chickasaw
Claiborne George Coahoma Calhoun Choctaw
Copiah Greene Holmes DeSoto Clarke
Franklin Hancock Humphreys Grenada Clay
Hinds Harrison Issaquena Itawamba Jasper
Jefferson Jackson Leflore Lafayette Kemper
Lawrence Jefferson Davis Quitman Lee Lauderdale
Lincoln Jones Sharkey Marshall Leake
Madison Lamar Sunflower Panola Lowndes
Pike Marion Tallahatchie Pontotoc Monroe
Rankin Pearl River Tunica Prentiss Montgomery
Simpson Perry Washington Tate Neshoba
Walthall Stone Yazoo Tippah Newton
Warren Wayne Tishomingo Noxubee
Smith
Webster
Winston
A P P E N D I X G Mississippi’s five tourism regions
SOURCE: Visit Mississippi
F Y 2 0 1 8 M I S S I S S I P P I T O U R I S M E C O N O M I C C O
N T R I B U T I O N R E P O R T
A P P E N D I X H Capital/River region travel and tourism
expenditures, employment, taxes, tourism capital investment, FY2018
Does not include diesel fuel sales, non-resident licensing fees or
83rd Division sales.
Gasoline sales at the pump are included for some counties.
1. The travel/tourism employment percentage equals estimated direct
tourism jobs divided by county level establishment based nonfarm
employment. Data based on where employees work, not reside.
2. Estimated state/local travel/tourism taxes from travel/visitor
expenditures and some other activity. Includes 7 percent sales tax
and 18.5 percent portion diverted to cities; state-licensed
casinos; city/county taxes; room/restaurant special taxes; motor
vehicle rental and petroleum tax diversions to counties; Alcohol
Beverage Control county share of permit license fees; use taxes;
tourism capital investment local permit fees; real/personal
property taxes (hotels/casinos and restaurants in some counties).
Data attributable to travel/tourism
SOURCES: Chambers of commerce and other economic
development/tourism offices; county tax assessors/collectors; Dodge
Data Analytics; Mississippi Department of Employment Security/Labor
Market Information; Mississippi Department of Revenue; Mississippi
Department of Transportation; Mississippi Department of Wildlife,
Fisheries and Parks; Mississippi Gaming Commission
Capital/River Region
Travel and Tourism
Employment Percentage (1)
Tourism Capital
Regional Totals
$1,312,244,816 21,508 6.2 $126,497,230 $42,753,695
F Y 2 0 1 8 M I S S I S S I P P I T O U R I S M E C O N O M I C C O
N T R I B U T I O N R E P O R T
Coastal Region
Travel and Tourism
Employment Percentage (1)
Tourism Capital
Gulf Coast (3) 2,122,267,112 28,200 18.2 237,573,894
103,008,624
Hattiesburg area (4)
Jefferson Davis
Jones 63,004,583 890 3.3 5,692,362 266,773
Marion 12,599,653 160 2.0 925,338 42,721
Pearl River 31,075,731 415 3.9 2,586,685 1,349,517
Stone 14,140,165 190 4.6 1,208,253 112,742
Wayne 7,896,019 112 2.3 608,620 513,543
Regional Totals
$2,567,930,267 34,779 12.1 $276,966,616 $115,649,895
A P P E N D I X I Coastal region travel and tourism expenditures,
employment, taxes, tourism capital investment, FY2018 Does not
include diesel fuel sales, non-resident licensing fees or 83rd
Division sales.
Includes gasoline sales at the pump for Hancock, Harrison, Jackson
and some other counties.
1. Travel/tourism employment percentage equals estimated direct
tourism jobs divided by county level establishment based nonfarm
employment. Data based on where employees work, not reside.
2. Estimated state/local travel/tourism taxes from travel/visitor
expenditures and some other activity. Includes 7 percent sales tax
and 18.5 percent portion diverted to cities; state-licensed
casinos; city/county taxes; room/restaurant special taxes; motor
vehicle rental and petroleum tax diversions to counties; Alcohol
Beverage Control county share of permit license fees; use taxes;
tourism capital investment local permit fees; real/personal
property taxes (hotels/casinos and restaurants in some counties).
Data attributable to travel/tourism.
3. Gulf Coast reflects combined data for Hancock, Harrison and
Jackson counties. 4. Hattiesburg area reflects combined data for
Forrest, Lamar and Perry counties.
SOURCES: Chambers of commerce and other economic
development/tourism offices; county tax assessors/collectors; Dodge
Data Analytics; Mississippi Department of Employment Security/Labor
Market Information; Mississippi Department of Revenue; Mississippi
Department of Transportation; Mississippi Department of Wildlife,
Fisheries and Parks; Mississippi Gaming Commission
F Y 2 0 1 8 M I S S I S S I P P I T O U R I S M E C O N O M I C C O
N T R I B U T I O N R E P O R T
A P P E N D I X J Delta region travel and tourism expenditures,
employment, taxes, tourism capital investment, FY2018 Does not
include diesel fuel sales, non-resident licensing fees or 83rd
Division sales.
Includes gasoline sales at the pump for some counties.
1. Travel/tourism employment percentage equals estimated direct
tourism jobs divided by county level establishment based nonfarm
employment. Data based on where employees work, not reside.
2. Estimated state/local travel/tourism taxes from travel/visitor
expenditures and some other activity. Includes 7 percent sales tax
and 18.5 percent portion diverted to cities; state-licensed
casinos; city/county taxes; room/restaurant special taxes; motor
vehicle rental and petroleum tax diversions to counties; Alcohol
Beverage Control county share of permit license fees; use taxes;
tourism capital investment local permit fees; real/personal
property taxes (hotels/casinos and restaurants in some counties).
Data attributable to travel and tourism.
SOURCES: Chambers of commerce and other economic
development/tourism offices; county tax assessors/collectors; Dodge
Data Analytics; Mississippi Department of Employment Security/Labor
Market Information; Mississippi Department of Revenue; Mississippi
Department of Transportation; Mississippi Department of Wildlife,
Fisheries and Parks; Mississippi Gaming Commission
Delta Region
Travel and Tourism
Employment Percentage (1)
Tourism Capital
Regional Totals $804,602,155 9,646 11.4 $90,811,309
$16,658,464
F Y 2 0 1 8 M I S S I S S I P P I T O U R I S M E C O N O M I C C O
N T R I B U T I O N R E P O R T
Hills Region
Travel and Tourism
Employment Percentage (1)
Tourism Capital
Regional Totals $1,095,663,019 14,804 6.2 $96,505,961
$41,656,444
A P P E N D I X K Hills Region travel and tourism expenditures,
employment, taxes, tourism capital investment, FY2018 Does not
include diesel fuel sales, non-resident licensing fees, or 83rd
Division sales.
Includes gasoline sales at the pump for some counties.
1. Travel/tourism employment percentage equals estimated direct
tourism jobs divided by county level establishment based nonfarm
employment. Data based on where employees work, not reside.
2. Estimated state/local travel/tourism taxes from travel/visitor
expenditures and some other activity. Includes 7 percent sales tax
and 18.5 percent portion diverted to cities; city/county taxes;
room/restaurant special taxes; motor vehicle rental and petroleum
tax diversions to counties; Alcohol Beverage Control county share
of permit license fees; use taxes; tourism capital investment local
permit fees; real/ personal property taxes (hotels/casinos and
restaurants in some counties). Data attributable to travel and
tourism.
SOURCES: Chambers of commerce and other economic
development/tourism offices; county tax assessors/collectors; Dodge
Data Analytics; Mississippi Department of Employment Security/Labor
Market Information; Mississippi Department of Revenue; Mississippi
Department of Transportation; Mississippi Department of Wildlife,
Fisheries and Parks; Mississippi Gaming Commission
F Y 2 0 1 8 M I S S I S S I P P I T O U R I S M E C O N O M I C C O
N T R I B U T I O N R E P O R T
A P P E N D I X L Pines Region travel and tourism expenditures,
employment, taxes, tourism capital investment, FY2018
Does not include diesel fuel sales, non-resident licensing fees, or
83rd Division sales. Includes gasoline sales at the pump for some
counties.
1. Travel/tourism employment percentage equals estimated direct
tourism jobs divided by county level establishment based nonfarm
employment. Data based on where employees work, not reside.
2. Estimated state/local travel/tourism taxes from travel/visitor
expenditures and some other activity. Includes 7 percent sales tax
and 18.5 percent portion diverted to cities; city/county taxes;
room/restaurant special taxes; motor vehicle rental and petroleum
tax diversions to counties; Alcohol Beverage Control county share
of permit license fees; use taxes; tourism capital investment local
permit fees; real/ personal property taxes (hotels/casinos and
restaurants in some counties). Data attributable to
travel/tourism.
SOURCES: Chambers of commerce and other economic
development/tourism offices; county tax assessors/collectors; Dodge
Data Analytics; Mississippi Department of Employment Security/Labor
Market Information; Mississippi Department of Revenue; Mississippi
Department of Transportation; Mississippi Department of Wildlife,
Fisheries and Parks; Mississippi Gaming Commission
Pines Region
Travel and Tourism
Employment Percentage (1)
Tourism Capital
Regional Totals $556,676,631 8,873 5.3 $50,838,321
$23,044,657
F Y 2 0 1 8 M I S S I S S I P P I T O U R I S M E C O N O M I C C O
N T R I B U T I O N R E P O R T
County Hotel/Motel Rooms (12-31-17)
Hinds 5,776 5,852 1.3%
Holmes 40 40 none
Humphreys 30 30 none
Issaquena 0 0 NA
A P P E N D I X M Estimated hotel/motel room count,
CY2017/CY2018
County Hotel/Motel Rooms (12-31-17)
Jones 833 764 -8.3%
Kemper 32 32 none
Lafayette 1,170 1,178 0.7%
Lauderdale 2,058 2,165 5.2%
Lawrence 30 30 none
Leake 57 57 none
Lee 1,940 1,940 none
Leflore 825 825 none
Lincoln 487 487 none
Lowndes 1,217 1,228 0.9%
Madison 2,340 2,398 2.5%
Marion 191 151 -20.9%
Marshall 190 190 none
Monroe 251 251 none
Montgomery 216 216 none
Neshoba 1,599 1,599 none
Newton 87 87 none
Noxubee 64 64 none
Oktibbeha 873 871 -0.2%
Pike 608 608 none
Pontotoc 56 56 none
F Y 2 0 1 8 M I S S I S S I P P I T O U R I S M E C O N O M I C C O
N T R I B U T I O N R E P O R T
A P P E N D I X M - C O N T I N U E D Estimated hotel/motel room
count, CY2017/CY2018
Appendix M does not include bed & breakfast rooms, hotel/motel
rooms under construction January-April 2019, cabins or
condo/timeshare/cottage rooms. County room counts based on figures
provided by various sources. Data may come from different sources
on successive years. STR inventory data were used for 2017-2018
updates. Some counties had room inventory changes – closings,
additions or renovations.
STR lodging inventory as of December 31, 2018 – 704 hotels/motels
and 60,303 rooms. STR lodging inventory as of December 31, 2017 –
694 hotels/motels and 59,498 rooms.
1. Gulf Coast reflects combined data for Hancock, Harrison and
Jackson counties. 2. Hattiesburg Area reflects combined data for
Forrest, Lamar and Perry counties.
Perry County: no hotels. 3. Panola County had a hotel closed for
renovations in 2017. This property reopened in
2018. SOURCES: Mississippi chambers of commerce, economic
development offices, cities, convention and visitor bureaus,
tourism offices, other local entities, STR
County Hotel/Motel Rooms (12-31-17)
Prentiss 100 100 none
Quitman 0 0 NA
Rankin 2,652 2,631 -0.8%
Scott 221 221 none
Sharkey 19 19 none
Simpson 230 230 none
Smith 32 32 none
Stone 184 184 none
Sunflower 234 234 none
Tallahatchie 0 0 NA
Tate 131 51 -61.1%
Tippah 49 49 none
Tishomingo 45 65 44.4%
Tunica 4,664 4,742 1.7%
Union 344 296 -14.0%
Walthall 30 30 none
Warren 2,087 2,163 3.6%
Washington 1,172 1,178 0.5%
Wayne 129 129 none
Webster 33 33 none
Wilkinson 18 18 none
Winston 243 243 none
Yalobusha 20 20 none
Yazoo 225 225 none
Total 59,768 60,452 1.1%
F Y 2 0 1 8 M I S S I S S I P P I T O U R I S M E C O N O M I C C O
N T R I B U T I O N R E P O R T
Park FY2017 Visits FY2018 Visits Change
Buccaneer State Park 148,975 242,732 62.9%
Clark Creek 12,870 9,005 -30.0%
Clarkco 46,490 53,047 14.1%
Golden Memorial 1,382 2,620 89.6%
Hugh White 35,284 31,383 -11.1%
J.P. Coleman 52,572 55,915 6.4%
John W. Kyle 50,071 44,926 -10.3%
Lake Lincoln 40,258 44,598 10.8%
Lake Lowndes 37,155 40,604 9.3%
LeFleur’s Bluff 38,201 51,693 35.3%
Legion 8,029 10,279 28.0%
Natchez 25,268 25,496 0.9%
Percy Quin 131,915 128,727 -2.4%
Roosevelt 90,336 104,583 15.8%
Tishomingo 65,597 75,385 14.9%
Tombigbee 29,930 33,127 10.7%
Trace 45,180 53,057 17.4%
Total 1,043,143 1,200,204 15.1%
A P P E N D I X N State park visitation, FY2017/FY2018
SOURCE: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and
Parks
F Y 2 0 1 8 M I S S I S S I P P I T O U R I S M E C O N O M I C C O
N T R I B U T I O N R E P O R T
A P P E N D I X O Mississippi nonfarm establishment-based
employment rankings, direct jobs, top sectors, including
travel/tourism as an industry, FY2018 1. Does not include public
sector health care jobs. Included under government.
2. Durable goods comprised 94,485 jobs (65.4 percent) manufacturing
jobs. 3. Does not include an estimated 10,005 travel/tourism jobs
directly related to retail
trade. 4. Includes accommodations, food services, amusement, arts,
entertainment,
state-licensed casino gaming/recreation, transportation, tourism
construction, among other jobs. These jobs are directly related to
travel/tourism, based on the definition of a traveler/visitor in
the glossary. Those jobs not directly related to travel/tourism are
included in the food services, arts, entertainment and recreation
sectors. Appendix A includes direct FY2018 statewide travel/tourism
jobs.
5. Reflects portion of employment not directly related to
travel/tourism - food services and drinking establishments.
6. Excludes travel/tourism-related scheduled/nonscheduled charter
air, support activities for air, interurban, rural bus, taxi,
limousine, charter bus, scenic/ sightseeing transportation.
7. Excludes 1,670 travel/tourism-related construction jobs. 8.
Excludes travel/tourism-related laundry services and parking
lots/garages. 9. Excludes travel/tourism-related advertising and
travel arrangement/
reservation services. 10. Excludes travel/tourism-related
residential property managers and
passenger car rental. 11. Excludes motion picture/video production
and motion picture theaters related to
travel/tourism. Excludes travel/tourism-related residential
property managers and passenger car rental.
12. Excludes an estimated 1,945 travel/tourism jobs funded by
public monies – state tourism office staff, regional/international
airports, museums, historical sights, performing arts, state parks,
etc. Includes all public sector employment – health care and
education. Government is a super sector.
SOURCE: Mississippi Department of Employment Security/Labor Market
Information in cooperation with U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of
Labor Statistics
Sector FY2018
Manufacturing (2) 144,390 12.5% 2
Retail trade (3) 130,550 11.3% 3
Travel and tourism (4) 89,610 7.7% 4
Administrative support and waste management 68,260 5.9% 5
Leisure accommodation and food services (5) 63,460 5.5% 6
Transportation and warehousing (6) 46,825 4.0% 8
Construction (7) 42,190 3.6% 7
Other services (8) 40,345 3.5% 9
Wholesale trade 35,190 3.0% 10
Finance and insurance 33,165 2.9% 11
Professional, scientific and technical services (9) 30,795 2.7%
12
Real estate and rental (10) 11,055 1.0% 15
Management of companies 11,035 1.0% 16
Information (11) 10,985 0.9% 13
Utilities 8,085 0.7% 17
Government (12) 240,570 20.8% NA
Total statewide nonfarm direct employment 1,159,150 100.0% NA
F Y 2 0 1 8 M I S S I S S I P P I T O U R I S M E C O N O M I C C O
N T R I B U T I O N R E P O R T
Sector FY2018
Manufacturing (2) 144,390 12.5% 2
Retail Trade (3) 140,560 12.1% 3
Leisure and hospitality (4) 135,910 11.7% 4
Administrative support and waste management 68,260 5.9% 5
Transportation and warehousing (5) 48,610 4.2% 8
Construction (6) 43,860 3.8% 7
Other services (7) 40,475 3.5% 9
Wholesale trade 35,190 3.0% 10
Finance and insurance 33,165 2.9% 11
Professional, scientific and technical services (8) 31,435 2.7%
12
Real estate and rental (9) 11,735 1.0% 15
Information (10) 11,285 1.0% 16
Management of companies 11,035 1.0% 13
Utilities 8,085 0.7% 17
Government (11) 242,515 20.9% NA
Total statewide nonfarm direct employment 1,159,150 100.0% NA
A P P E N D I X P Mississippi nonfarm establishment-based
employment rankings, direct jobs, top sectors and supersectors,
excluding travel and tourism by itself, FY2018 1. Does not include
public-sector health care jobs. Included under government.
2. Durable goods comprised 94,485 (65.4 percent) manufacturing
jobs. 3. Includes an estimated 10,005 travel/tourism jobs directly
related to retail trade. 4. Includes accommodations, food services,
amusement, arts, entertainment,
state-licensed casino gaming/recreation, transportation, tourism
construction, among other jobs. A portion of these jobs are not
directly related to travel/tourism, based on the definition of a
traveler/visitor in the glossary. Those jobs not directly related
to travel/tourism are included in Leisure and Hospitality -- food
services, arts, entertainment and recreation sectors. Appendix A
includes direct FY18 statewide travel/tourism jobs.
5. Includes travel/tourism-related scheduled/nonscheduled charter
air, support activities for air, interurban, rural bus, taxi,
limousine, charter bus, scenic/ sightseeing transportation.
6. Includes 1,670 travel/tourism-related construction jobs. 7.
Includes travel/tourism-related laundry services and parking
lots/garages. 8. Includes tra