Celebrating Mississippi Tourism: Congratulations to the 2025 MTA Award Winners

“Tourism is easy to celebrate when it’s your fourth-largest industry and growing.” This quote from the Lt. Governor of Mississippi underscores the impact of travel in Mississippi. This year, Mississippi welcomed 44 million visitors, supported over 100,000 jobs, and generated an impressive $18 billion in economic impact.

Those numbers tell a story of progress, partnership, and pride one that was on full display at the 2025 Mississippi Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Vicksburg. Hosted by the Mississippi Tourism Association (MTA), this year’s event celebrated the people and places powering the Magnolia State’s momentum.

It also marked the debut of MTA’s new podcast, Heart of Hospitality, which gives voice to the individuals shaping the state’s tourism success. As longtime collaborators with MTA and many of this year’s award-winning destinations, Advance Travel & Tourism is proud to celebrate an industry that continues to drive both economic and cultural growth across the state.

Tourism That Moves Economies

Behind every great campaign, attraction, and partnership lies tangible impact. Tourism’s $18 billion footprint represents the ripple effect of storytelling, hospitality, and innovation working together. Visitor dollars support small businesses, fund local governments, and create jobs in every corner of Mississippi. From the creative energy of Jackson and Oxford to the charm of Corinth and Stone County, destinations across the state are demonstrating what happens when marketing and community align.

Standing Ovations for Mississippi’s Best

This year’s MTA Tourism Awards recognized excellence across marketing, media, and destination management. Winners included:

• DMO of the Year (Over $3M): Visit Jackson
• DMO of the Year ($1M–$2.99M): Visit Oxford
• DMO of the Year ($500K–$999K): Visit Corinth
• DMO of the Year (Up to $500K): Explore Stone County
• Best Overall Digital Media: Visit Jackson — ‘The Little Light’
• Best Traditional Media & PR Campaign: Visit Oxford
• Tourism Achievement Award: Visit Hattiesburg
• Best Sales Strategy/Campaign: Visit Jackson — ‘The City with Soul’
• Tourism Promotion of the Year: Visit Starkville — 101 Brand Campaign
• Attraction of the Year: Serengeti Springs
• Venue of the Year: MSU Riley Center
• Restaurant of the Year: Vestige

Additional honors went to the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, Sipp & Savor, and other community standouts. To all winners, finalists, and nominees—congratulations. Your creativity, resilience, and hospitality are building a brighter future for the Magnolia State

New Voices: Heart of Hospitality Podcast

Adding to the excitement, MTA unveiled its brand-new podcast, Heart of Hospitality, now available on Spotify. The show amplifies stories from across Mississippi’s tourism industry—featuring DMO leaders, hospitality professionals, and destination storytellers who make visitors feel at home. Each episode dives into what makes Mississippi special: the people behind the experiences, the creativity driving campaigns, and the challenges and victories that define the tourism landscape.

At Advance Travel & Tourism, we’re thrilled to see MTA expanding its storytelling footprint. The podcast is a perfect complement to the campaigns, data insights, and creative collaborations that already make Mississippi one of the most forward-thinking tourism communities in the country.

From Momentum to Bookings

Awards and accolades are powerful reflections of progress—but the real impact happens when awareness turns into visitation and visitation into sustained economic growth. That’s where full-funnel strategy and measurement come in: ensuring that every impression connects back to a booking, a stay, a meal, or a memory made in Mississippi. As Mississippi’s travel momentum accelerates, we’re ready to help DMOs and tourism partners continue building on this success—through data-driven storytelling, media strategy, and comprehensive data insights.

Looking Ahead

With 44 million visitors, more than 100,000 tourism jobs, and $18 billion in impact, Mississippi’s story is one of energy, optimism, and evolution. The 2025 MTA Awards celebrated that spirit and the launch of Heart of Hospitality ensures those stories will keep being told in new, inspiring ways. Congratulations once again to all the talented winners at the Mississippi Tourism Association Conference! Here’s to another record-breaking year of collaboration, creativity, and hospitality in the Magnolia State.

— The Advance Travel & Tourism Team