Canton Tourism celebrates Mississippi’s fourth largest industry

Special to The Canton News 

The Canton Convention and Visitors Bureau and Film Office kicks off a very busy month with  National Travel and Tourism Week the first week in May, followed by a host of local events.  
To highlight the occasion, Canton Tourism is raising awareness about the importance of the state’s fourth largest industry, as well as the responsibility of communities and the significance of supporting  local business.  

“Tourism adds quality of life and value to communities, as well as economic impact. We’re doing that every day at our office by hosting events, offering educational resources, providing attractions and  unique experiences for visitors, promoting our local businesses, and through historical preservation  efforts. Without thriving communities to promote, tourism would not survive; and, without the help of tourism, communities would not thrive. One cannot exist without the other,” explains Executive Director of Canton Tourism, May McCarty.  

In addition to Tourism Week, the Bureau also looks forward to hosting Ladies’ Night Out on the Square on May 5, the spring Flea Market Arts and Crafts Show on May 12, and Law Enforcement Appreciation Week from May 11-17. Locals and visitors alike are invited to participate in each of these events, and the tourism office encourages the entire city to show their support for local law enforcement during their week of recognition.  

Canton Tourism also looks forward to upcoming summer events and happenings for which planning is well underway, including hosting the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival, helping to promote Canton’s Juneteenth Celebration, bringing back and enhancing the Young Filmmakers Camps and Allison’s Wells artisans and craftsmen programs, as well as several new film projects in the works.  

“We are so proud to be able to provide all of these events and programs, which not only benefit our town and enhance our community as a great place to live and work, but also gives visitors a reason to want to treat Canton as a destination,” says McCarty. “Every hotel stay booked, every time someone eats in our restaurants or shops in our stores or even buys gas at our gas stations, that’s economic impact. The bigger the impact, the more our community benefits. But we’ve still got to do our part locally. It starts at home. Shop small. Support local.”  

For more information about Canton Tourism, and for details about the upcoming events listed here and how to participate, visit www.cantontourism.com, or call Canton Tourism at 601-859-1307.