Business Blog » Tourism

Mississippi casino revenues on pace for 15-year low (adds comment)

Frank Brown — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:10:48 +0000

JACKSON, Mississippi – Mississippi casinos could be headed to a 15-year low in gross gaming revenues, if the trend from the first quarter continues the rest of the year. April figures released by the Mississippi Gaming Commission this week show another month of revenue decreases as casinos attempt to reverse the trend of out-of-state gamblers [...]

Coast casinos adding rooms, restaurants, venues

Frank Brown — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:08:19 +0000

There’s a 150-room hotel tower sprouting at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The Isle of Capri is undergoing a major transformation before it becomes the Golden Nugget Biloxi later this year. The Palace Casino in Bilxoi is renovating 236 rooms, and Island View Casino in Gulfport has a new entertainment venue. And there may [...]

Casino survey reveals national, Mississippi data

Frank Brown — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:07:12 +0000

The American Gaming Association has compiled its annual “State of the States” report and survey, which shows that gaming nationally continues to grow and is almost back to its 2007 pace. And while Mississippi is struggling a bit in the face of increased competition, the state continues to be a major player in the industry. [...]

Clock runs out on Auburn’s iconic oaks at Toomer’s Corner

Ted Carter — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:18:36 +0000

At 7:22 a.m. Tuesday, workers made the first cut to Auburn University’s famed oaks at Toomer’s Corner. From a bucket truck, a worker removed the first branch from the tree on College Street, Mobile’s AL.com reports. Crews then moved back and forth between the two trees, removing large segments of the more than 80-year-old oaks [...]

CARTER: FAA’s tower closing plan (ploy) having intended effect

Ted Carter — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 22:16:56 +0000

Aviation business professionals say it was glaringly obvious what the Federal Aviation Administration was up to with its initiative to cut off funding to “contract” air traffic control towers. If you want to get a politician’s attention, promise to whack contract towers at around 150 regional airports and shut down another 30 or so [...]

Tunica casino revenues a concern for state gaming officials

Frank Brown — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:23:23 +0000

When Gov. Phil Bryant signed a bill Tuesday creating the Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, John Hairston saw the occasion as more than a tourism bill for three coast counties. For the chairman of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, it is both a step in reviving the Tunica County casino and a preemptive [...]

Tonight’s Taste of Fondren moved indoors to Fondren Corner

Ted Carter — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:24:17 +0000

A threat of severe stormy weather has led Fondren Renaissance to move tonight’s Taste of Fondren to Fondren Corner. The ticketed event will get under way at 6 p.m. The Taste of Fondren is a benefit for the continuing arts and education efforts of the foundation and will highlight “all things Fondren.” Area restaurants will [...]

Taxpayers will pay for Triumph rescue, Carnival tells senator

Frank Brown — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:42:09 +0000

When asked if it intends to reimburse the government for the $779,914 it cost to rescue the Carnival Triumph, a cruise-line executive says it will not. The exchange came in letters last month between West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller and James Hunn, Carnival’s senior vice president for corporate maritime policy, and was reported Friday by [...]

MEC’s annual meeting to put focus on car making, defense contracting

Ted Carter — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 17:15:51 +0000

Updates on two of Mississippi’s main economic drivers – car manufacturing and defense contracting – will highlight the Mississippi Economic Council’s annual meeting Thursday in a gathering at the Jackson Convention Complex. The event’s luncheon includes remarks from Gov. Phil Bryant and Maj. Gen. Augustus Collins, commander of the state’s National Guard and Air Guard. [...]

Fear Fete comes back to haunt D’Iberville

Stephen McDill — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:47:46 +0000

“Do you like scary movies,” asked the villainous slasher Ghostface of Wes Craven’s chilling “Scream” series. The Gulf Coast apparently does. The third annual Fear Fete Horror Film Festival says it will haunt the Grand Theater 18 in D’Iberville on October 18-20th. Fear Fete has been one of the South’s premier horror film festivals, showcasing many [...]