JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – At the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Hattiesburg on Friday, Governor Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) announced the release of Visit Mississippi’s annual Tourism Economic Contribution Report .

In 2023, the state welcomed a record 43.7 million visitors. According to the report, this resulted in a record-breaking $17.5 billion contribution to Mississippi’s economy. The new study was conducted by Tourism Economics.

“These record-breaking numbers highlight just how much momentum Mississippi’s tourism industry has,” said 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.”

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.

“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.”

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