LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Miss. – Lauderdale County sees a steady stream of visitors throughout the year as people travel for events, businesses and athletic events, Lauderdale County Tourism Commissioners were told Thursday.
Berkeley Young of Young Strategies, which was tapped by Visit Meridian to create a strategic plan for the county’s tourism arm, said the organization is already off to a good start. Meridian and Lauderdale County already have a solid reputation as a travel destination that is known for its arts and culture institutions. Performance venues such as the MSU Riley Center and Temple Theater, along with attractions such as the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience and the Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian, are assets coveted by much larger communities.
“Overall conclusion is that we have a consistent trend line, that you’ve got great pride of place, that the leaders show great pride in Meridian, you’re a successful travel destination attracting a good mix of leisure, group and business travelers, and sports are in that group,” he said.
Young said a survey of visitors found people were drawn to Lauderdale County because of the friendly, welcoming people, culinary offerings, downtown charm, history and cultural attractions, natural beauty and ease of getting around. The survey found visitors overwhelmingly thought positively of their time in the Queen City.
Among the dislikes cited by visitors are limited dining options late at night and on Sunday, the city’s unusual road layout, safety concerns in some areas of the city, limited family-friendly nightlife and entertainment, cleanliness and maintenance and a lack of public transit such as Uber and Lift. Young said the spotty rideshare ability is a drawback as most of the area hotels are located near the interstate while much of the entertainment venues, restaurants and attractions are located downtown.
Looking at hotel occupancy data, Young said Lauderdale County is building new hotels, but the demand for rooms is going up faster than they are being built. When looking at ways to bring more people to the area, coordinating with hotels is critical to make sure there are places for people to stay.
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