8 Quotes by Craig Ray

Mississippi has worked hard to entice avid golf-and-gaming travelers to visit our great state, because we knew if we got them here once, they would come back. The sales increases demonstrate the rising trend of visitors to Mississippi and we hope increasingly more visitors will judge our offerings for themselves.

Maybe the number of travelers aren't as high, but the money spent is way up. The travelers are staying longer and spending more money. When you look at it in that sense, I'd say it's very positive.

This will be a unique draw that the state doesn't have. The rest of the state has gaming and different types of history and culture, but again bringing this in, new meeting space, new hotel, this is a new look for other tourists.

This was big for us after coming off two losses to get a win like this, ... It was nice to finally win on the road.

reach outside your boundaries. We want to keep a large percentage of the $2 billion in business from the Gulf Coast in this state.

Of course we don't consider Katrina anything but an immense natural disaster; however, if there is something good to be said it includes that the Mississippi's other four regions and their unique, high-quality attractions are in the spotlight.

After the first of the year, the governor will ask for specific funds for economic development and tourism to re-market the state of Mississippi.

If you said 'millions,' I'd guess you'd be safe, if you look at the big picture.