Ever want to know the best possible way to help Vicksburg grow?

Simply say “hello” to the next person you meet and do not know. By doing so, you are saying hello to someone visiting Vicksburg, maybe for the very first time.

Last week, Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Bill Seratt gave a presentation to the Vicksburg Kiwanis Club where he said that in 2014, tourism added more than $205 million to the local economy and directly supported 4,000 jobs.

With the National Military Park, casinos, dockings by riverboats, dozens of conventions, the Miss Mississippi Pageant, and countless other attractions and events, we are all aware of the importance tourism plays in our community.

But, did you know just how important it is?

For most “locals,” a Monday is just another Monday, or Tuesday is just another Tuesday. But when a riverboat docks, downtown bustles with visitors, enjoying the sights, eating lunch and visiting any one of dozens of local stores.

For most “locals” the military park is something visited a number of times and is something you catch a quick glimpse of driving down Clay Street, but for more than half of a million people each year, the National Military Park is a destination, a place that must be seen.

Ask the hotel operators around the park just how big of a deal it is.

This is all to say that those who call Vicksburg and Warren County home have a role to play in this $205 million industry. Yes, we need to continue to go about our daily jobs, or continue to go to school, but we must also take up our other job, and that is to be the gracious host.

It is important for us to greet our guests warmly, provide the best in customer service to everyone who comes in our business and ensure that our city is presented in the very best fashion.

For many of our visitors, there is only one trip to Vicksburg and it is the responsibility of all of us to ensure that first impression is the very best impression.