Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau cuts budget by 30 percent

The Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau voted at its April board of directors meeting to cut 30% of its FY 2020 operating budget. This decision was made in response to adjusted revenue projections due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The VCVB, also known as Visit Vicksburg, expects a significant drop in its revenue which is collected from the 1% hospitality tax on restaurants and lodging in Warren County. The cuts include temporary furloughs to all non-management positions and a salary reduction for the executive director. Nine employees will be placed on furlough, leaving four employees left to run operations of the organization. As a quasi-government entity, the VCVB does not qualify for any relief funds to date.

“We are hopeful that these cuts will be enough to cover the projected shortfall,” said Laura Beth Strickland, executive director. “The bureau is committed to actively promoting our restaurants, hotels, and tourism attractions when it is safe to travel again. We want to be prepared when our industry partners need us most. We hope that the temporary furloughs will not last long, and that we will be able to resume normal operations as soon as possible.”

The mission of the Vicksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau is to encourage and promote tourism for the Vicksburg/Warren County area as well as to sell and market the attractions and experiences of Vicksburg as a premier destination for overnight visitation, generating sales and lodging taxes to the City and enhancing the vitality of the City by helping to sustain business and employment.

Visit Vicksburg has been active promoting restaurant services, safe travel, and supporting the tourism industry throughout Warren County. Tourism is extremely important to us in Vicksburg providing over 4,000 jobs and over $24 million in tax dollars. Visitors spend over $220 million in our museums, restaurants, hotels, casinos, and small businesses in our community.

For more information about the VCVB, visit www.visitvicksburg.com or call 601-883-9956.