Starkville’s new tourism director outlines plan for bringing guests again to town

STARKVILLE, miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi state college baseball season will begin in mid-February, but with seating restrictions at Dudy Noble Field of just 25 percent capacity, the city of Starkville will see another decline in tourism. Revenue from the COVID-19 pandemic.

That’s one of the challenges for Paige Hunt, Starkville newly appointed director of tourism.

“Mississippi State events are one of the main attractions, if not the main attraction, for bringing visitors to Starkville,” she said. “With the pandemic and restrictions, these events may not look like they used to.”

The newest member of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership can’t just rely on fans in the stands for MSU sporting events, and is focused on finding other ways to get people back to town.

“Before the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Hunt. “The state of Mississippi had a record year with over 24 million visitors spending more than $ 6 billion. In a community like Starkville, these visitors really make a difference. “

Looking at hotel data across Mississippi, occupancy dropped nearly 10 percent from 2019 to 2020, and revenue per available hotel room could continue to decline in 2021.

Hunt, a 20-year tourism industry veteran who grew up in Starkville, says many positive things are on the horizon.

“Starkville’s position as Mississippi’s university town is really beating us up,” she said. “We already have a dedicated visitor base with our alumni base in the US state of Mississippi. And I think people are more comfortable when they come to smaller churches. “

Hunt said the area’s facilities are an ideal destination for business meetings.

“The Mill conference center is a wonderful place for meetings and conferences, ”she said.

When it comes to local sporting events, Hunt says that thinking small can help the city think big again.

“Youth sports are really something that thrive during the pandemic because it’s an outdoor activity and you can get socially distant,” she said.

Starkville’s Cornerstone Park is in the process of making major improvements This includes a total of 15 baseball and softball fields. The first phase of this process is expected to be completed in 2022.

“I think the youth sports market is a growing market and I think Starkville is well placed to host youth tournaments,” said Hunt.

Hunt says the hospitality industry is made the linchpin, which makes it ideal to thrive in the pandemic environment. She says all of Starkville’s local units are working together to move the city forward.

“The Business Development Agency, Main Street, Tourism,” Hunt listed. “We’re all here together singing from the same songbook. That prepares us for success in 2021.”