Release Date: 25 August 2010
Mississippi Gulf Coast tourism groups received a boost today as BP announced payments totaling $3 million for advertising, activities and events to increase vacation rental, hotel occupancy and restaurant business. The payments will also benefit recreational, retail and other hospitality businesses in the area.
“BP is providing these payments to local agencies to help boost tourism along the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said Heidi Grether, Mississippi external affairs manager for BP’s Gulf Coast Recovery Organization. “With the payments announced today, BP intends to add to the benefits already being realized by a $15 million tourism promotion payment the company made to the State of Mississippi in May.
“Our intention is to help the Gulf Coast’s tourism development experts encourage visitors to share in the beauty and recreation benefits of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and, in the process, to help the people who work in and communities that depend on the tourism industry here.”
The payments announced today are being distributed through the Hancock County Tourism Development Bureau, the Harrison County Tourism Commission, the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Golf Association. These agencies provided input to BP on events and activities that would maximize tourism and related benefits to the Mississippi Gulf Coast immediately and through the peak of the fall Mississippi Gulf Coast tourism season. The funds are to be spent on activities and events before Nov. 7, 2010.
Beth Carriere, executive director of the Hancock County Tourism Development Bureau stressed the impact the tourism funds will have for her destination.
“This funding allows us to not only enhance some of Hancock County’s existing tourism events, but to create new efforts that truly bring positive financial impact to our tourism-related businesses,” says Carriere. “One program in particular that will be immediate is targeting group tours for overnight stays and shopping with our Magnolia Money visitors voucher program at local retailers and other small businesses.”
“The Harrison County Tourism Commissioners, staff and the Board of Supervisors are beginning immediately to use these funds to help our tourism recovery,” says Ken Montana, president of the Harrison County Tourism Commission and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Our Gulf Coast is blessed by the finest and most resilient individuals anywhere in the world, and our restaurants, hotels, attractions, sports and recreational venues, festivals, tours and museums will all receive immediate and direct impact.”
Adds Carla Todd, president of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, “The Jackson County Chamber, representing both the county’s Chambers, the cities and Jackson County, is very pleased to be selected as the lead agency to administer this tourism funding provided by BP. This enables local organizations to increase their event advertising and expand the scope of their planned event, helping to attract tourists to Jackson County’s accommodations, restaurants, retail stores, attractions, ecotourism venues, historic sites, festivals and golf courses.”
“This payment allows the Coast Golf Tourism Partnership to launch a new, immediate Coast-wide golf promotion,” says Kevin Drum, executive director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Golf Association and Coast Golf Tourism Partnership. ”This promotion will not only help our local golf courses, but also restaurants, hotels, attractions, casinos, shopping and even seafood suppliers all along the Gulf Coast,” says Drum.
BP provided payments totaling $70 million in May to the States of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana for use in helping to address tourism concerns in the area. The Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Department continues to administer the $15 million payment for Mississippi with input from an advisory committee that includes the state’s Gulf Coast tourism and economic development leaders. Also, Mississippi Gulf Coast companies have been hired to execute advertising, marketing and promotions supported by the funding.
Notes to Editors:
Payments have been processed as follows this week:
Hancock County Tourism Development Bureau:
Contact: Beth Carriere, Executive Director
Telephone: 228-463-9222; Cell phone: 228-493-3989
A $995,000 payment will support Hancock County events and activities including motor coach promotions, Second Saturday Art Walk, Diamondhead Arts & Crafts Fair, a country concert weekend, a Cruisin’ the Coast event in Hancock County, WaveFest and Snowflakes on Mississippi’s West Coast.
Harrison County Tourism Commission:
Contacts: Richard Forester, Executive Director; Ken Montana, President
Telephone: 228-896-6699
A $1,175,000 payment will support Harrison County events and activities including Biloxi Seafood Festival, Chefs of the Coast, Cruisin’ the Coast, horse shows, Mississippi Hotel & Lodging Association Charter Boat Fishing Tournament, Fall Classic Mississippi Youth Soccer Tournament, Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Rendezvous & Harbor Grand Opening, Magnolia Classic USFA Fast Pitch Softball Tournament, Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo and a Familiarization Tour of convention and coliseum facilities by national tourism magazines, agencies and media.
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce:
Contact: Carla Todd, President, Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: 228-762-3391
A $580,000 payment will support Jackson County events and activities including the Ocean Springs Art Walk, Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues & Heritage Festival, Walter Anderson Museum of Art Exhibit Opening, Zonta Festival, Ocean Springs Feast of Flavors, Welcome Center Familiarization Tour, a Cruisin’ the Coast event in Jackson County and the Gautier Mullet & Music Festival.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Golf Association:
Contact: Kevin Drum, Executive Director
Telephone: 228-374-GOLF, ext. 5
A $250,000 payment will promote golf tourism in Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties and provide incentives for golfers who book a 3-day/3-night golf package. MGCGA will invite to participate and work with any lodging property located in the three Mississippi Gulf Coast counties that can manage golf packages.
For further information:
BP Gulf of Mexico response: www.bp.com/gulfofmexico
Telephone:
BP Press Office London +44 20 7496 4076
BP Press office, US: +1 281 366 0265
View this document online
BP America
US – BP America Press Relations
Visit this link to unsubscribe
