The Mississippi Gulf Coast tourism industry is launching a new loyalty card to attract people to the state.
The Sun Herald reports (http://bit.ly/zNg5t6) that the Club Gulf Coast Card was unveiled Wednesday by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Officials say it will be similar to loyalty cards issued by casinos and grocery stores. It will be free to vacationers who will sign up for it at the CVB website, at welcome centers on Interstate 10 and at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport.
Businesses will pay to participate in the program and as an incentive, the $75 sign-up fee and $50 monthly fee will be waived the first year for the first 50 businesses that join.
Each business owner of hotels, restaurants, attractions, casinos and shops will decide what type of savings to offer tourists who swipe their card.
The program officially launches May 1 and will be tied to a summer advertising program to invite vacationers to South Mississippi with "Play Your Way" scenarios.
Beth Carriere, executive director of the CVB, said various other promotional campaigns will target people driving and flying into South Mississippi. She said all promotions are designed to promote all three coast counties of Jackson, Harrison and Hancock.
Bill Lady, owner of Coast Inn & Suites in Waveland, serves on the Hancock County Tourism board and said Hurricane Katrina and the oil spill have kept tourists away.
"We have so many obstacles to overcome. We need a good year for tourism and I think 2012 will be it," he said.
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Information from: The Sun Herald, http://www.sunherald.com
