Hurricane-hit US Gulf rebuilding image
The hurricane-hit Gulf Coast states are trying to polish their tarnished image for the summer travel season.
“The projected image does not fit, in many cases, the reality,” said Bill Hardman, president and CEO of the Southeast Tourism Society.
The US Department of Commerce awarded a half million dollar grant to establish a tourism campaign for the Gulf Coast states, where officials think visitors are unaware of how many businesses are open.
They point out, for example, that 95% of Mississippi’s golf courses are back in business.
Tourism in Mississippi was a $6.35 billion industry last year. Because of Katrina, tourism officials are afraid those numbers could go down.
The Gulf Coast has concentrated on its rebuilding efforts. Mississippi, by contrast, is trying to sell its attractions such as food, culture, music, civil rights, history, war, nature tours, fishing and hunting, says the AP.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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