MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST – The Mississippi Gulf Coast is open for business following a glancing blow from Hurricane Gustav. When Hurricane Gustav struck the Gulf Coast, Mississippi was fortunate to receive minimal impact. Ten of the eleven casino resorts on the Mississippi Gulf Coast reopened for business Wednesday, September 3 with the eleventh scheduled to open by 2pm, Saturday, September 6. Charter fishing, sailing charters, area museums and shopping centers are open as well.
“We can certainly sympathize with our neighbors to our west and north who were hardest hit and hope that we can help them as much as they helped us following Katrina,” said Richard Forester, executive director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Area hotels are reporting a number of calls from people looking for accommodations because their power is still out as a result of Gustav and from those seeking lodging as they evacuate from Hurricane Hanna. The Mississippi Hotel & Lodging Association is available to assist these folks with reservations throughout the state of Mississippi (1-888-388-1006).
“The hotels on the Mississippi Gulf Coast are open and ready for all of our visitors – old and new friends alike. We offer over 12,000 rooms fully operational, including casino resorts, condos, suites and small boutique lodgings.” Linda Hornsby, executive director of the Mississippi Hotel and Lodging Association said. “The Coast’s ample hotel availability is accompanied by some great rates, so there is no better time to visit the Mississippi Gulf Coast than now.”
“Area golf courses suffered no damage – just rain, wind and clean up. Most are open, and the few that remain closed will be open by Monday, September 8. Our thoughts go out to our Western neighbors, and we offer them our thoughts and support for a quick recovery,” said Kevin Drum, executive director, Mississippi Gulf Coast Golf Association.
“Similar to other businesses in our area, we implemented several new tactics in our hurricane preparedness strategy, and we were very pleased about their effectiveness,” Mary Anne Caldwell with the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center said Thursday. “We are delighted to offer free admission for displaced families due to Hurricane Gustav through Saturday, September 6.”
Tom Becker, president of the Mississippi Charters Boats Association reported, “As the boats come out of the rivers and bayous, they are ready to do the thing they enjoy the most, and that is take our customers out fishing and have a relaxing day on the water. Most of the Biloxi fleet is back and ready to go and the other area marinas are getting their boats back. Let’s go fishing!”
