Gulf Coast Deals with Impacts of Economic Recession This 4th of July

This holiday weekend will be very telling for just how far the economic recession is impacting Mississippi Gulf Coast's tourism business. MPB’s Phoebe Judge has more.

The Fourth of July weekend is one of the largest for the Gulf Coast tourism industry, but with a country still reeling from a national recession, this year might be different. Linda Hornsby is executive director the Mississippi Hotel and Lodging Association,

“Considering previous Fourth of July’s that fell on a Saturday this is certainly not where we needed it to be. There are very few sold out properties. So there is a lot of availability at very good rates. You know we should have been sold out by now.”

Tourism on the Coast has fallen by double digits since last year, and industry insiders say that how the Coast fairs this holiday weekend will be a telling sign of what is to come for the rest of the summer. Nicole Learson, director of marketing for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau says most destinations across the country are having a hard time,

“We’re not kidding ourselves in believing that we won’t feel the effects of the recession as well, but in trying to combat it we are really trying to be creative and proactive.”

One of those ways is through a new $500,000 dollar drive-in-market campaign promoting a 3 night stay for a two night price in Gulf Coast hotels. One thing the Coast does have going for it is that it is primarily a drive-in-market. Greg Bivens with Ship Island Tours, says that makes them optimistic,

“We’re seeing a lot of people who might travel to the East Coast or West Coast or a longer distance, and they are telling us that they are coming down to the Mississippi Coast and traveling a shorter distance to have their family vacation.”

The concern now for those in the tourism business on the Coast is just hoping the gas prices don’t rise any higher.