State welcomed a record 43.7 million visitors in 2023
New economic impact study highlights tourism’s $17.5 billion contribution
Oct 4, 2024 – At the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Hattiesburg, Gov. Tate Reeves today announced the release of Visit Mississippi’s annual Tourism Economic Contribution Report, revealing that the state welcomed a record 43.7 million visitors in 2023. This visitor volume has resulted in a record-breaking $17.5 billion contribution to Mississippi’s economy.
The new study, conducted by Tourism Economics, provides an in-depth analysis of tourism’s economic impact in Mississippi for the calendar year 2023. This marks a pivotal transition from previous fiscal year reporting, allowing for improved alignment with national trends.
“These record-breaking numbers highlight just how much momentum Mississippi’s tourism industry has,” said Gov. Reeves. “Today’s announcement is another historic win for our state. Mississippi has a lot to offer, so it’s no surprise that people from all over want to visit and spend their hard-earned money here. I’m proud of what Mississippi’s tourism industry is accomplishing.”
Key Highlights from the 2023 Economic Impact Report:
- Visitor Volume: Mississippi welcomed 43.7 million domestic and international visitors in 2023.
- Visitor Spending: $11.5 billion in visitor spending generated a total economic impact of $17.5 billion in Mississippi in 2023.
- Job Creation: The total economic impact sustained 133,880 jobs, contributing $4.5 billion in labor income.
- State & Local Taxes: Tourism generated $1.1 billion in total state and local tax revenues in 2023, alleviating the tax burden on Mississippi households.
- Daily Spending: On average, visitors spent approximately $31.6 million per day.
- Key Spending: Top categories included food and beverage, lodging, recreation and retail, and transportation.
The report reveals that approximately $31.6 million was spent daily by visitors in Mississippi, underscoring the importance of the tourism industry to local economies and communities across the state.
“Every dollar spent by visitors supports jobs and generates vital tax revenue that benefits local communities,” said Rochelle Hicks, Director of Visit Mississippi. “Our tourism industry supported approximately 133,880 jobs in 2023, contributing $4.5 billion in wages. Without the impact of tourism, Mississippi households would need to pay an additional $922 in taxes each year.”
As Mississippi looks to the future, both the Governor and Hicks express confidence that tourism will remain a key driver of economic growth. “By working together to promote Mississippi, we can continue to attract visitors and stimulate economic activity,” Hicks added. “Our collective efforts will ensure that Mississippi remains a sought-after destination for years to come.”
For more detailed insights and to access the full economic impact study, please visit https://visitmississippi.org/travel-industry-partners.
