State tourism director: Meridian has much to offer

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
April 21, 2004
D. Craig Ray, Mississippi's top tourism official, said Tuesday he believes the city of Meridian has a lot to offer and contribute to the state's tourism industry.
Ray, in town to speak at the annual Keep Meridian/Lauderdale County Beautiful volunteer luncheon, toured the city for part of the day with Mayor John Robert Smith.
Ray and Smith visited such attractions as Bonita Lakes, Merrehope, the Grand Opera House, the Lauderdale County Agri-Center and the Dentzel Carousel at Highland Park.
Ray was appointed to the tourism post in January. Before joining the MDA, Ray served as senior advisor and deputy executive director of inauguration activities for Gov. Haley Barbour.
Ray also worked in the administration of Presidents George H. and George W. Bush.
Ray said his tourism office currently employs 85 people and has an annual operating budget of $9.4 million. Of that amount, he said, about $6.4 million is spent on advertising.
The Tourism Development Division also operates the state's Welcome Centers, includes the state film office and manages the Mississippi Hometown Retirement Program.
The state currently has an advertising contract with GodwinGroup in Jackson. But Ray said that contract will expire at the end of June and the MDA will advertise for new bids beginning in the next couple of weeks.
Ray said tourism is the state's second largest revenue source. He said he plans to market Meridian and the state to Mississippians as well as to people from across the nation and all over the world.
Ray also said that his office plans to capitalize on the resurgence in air travel since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.