The COVID-19 pandemic initially posed a major threat to the leisure-heavy Gulf Coast tourism industry, as the market only benefited from one month of Spring Break travel before the stay-at-home orders were issued. However, the state of Mississippi relaxed its COVID-19 restrictions sooner than competitive markets in nearby states, thereby allowing the state’s Secret Coast resorts to capture large amounts of pent-up leisure demand. As a result, occupancy and ADR for July and August nearly reached pre-pandemic levels.
Article - HVS Market Report - Mississippi Gulf Coast Lodging: A Record Recovery - By Lauren Hock - The Mississippi Gulf Coast reopened faster than most markets in the Southeast, allowing this area to become a drive-to destination for leisure travel. While the record room-rate increases achieved in 2021 and 2022 may not continue, new properties and attractions along the coast should support the markets popularity going forward.