MS HB1133

Creates the Mississippi Travel and Tourism Council to develop a sustained, integrated strategic plan for growth in travel and tourism through public and private partnerships with an economic development focus.

Council consists of 11 voting members appointed by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor representing convention and visitors bureaus, restaurants, hotels, gaming, and tourism attractions, plus 4 nonvoting advisory members from state tourism organizations.

Council duties include formulating a five-year tourism development strategy, reviewing state tourism laws and regulations, identifying growth opportunities, establishing public-private partnerships and funding models, and developing an econometric system to measure tourism impact.

Requires council to submit annual reports to the House and Senate by December 1st containing visitor numbers, expenditure data by region, marketing/advertising spending details, and budget recommendations compared to competing southeastern states.

Takes effect July 1, 2018, with the council's first meeting required within 30 days and all meetings open to the public under the Open Meetings Act.