Writing my book in  August 2005, unpublished....till now.

Mississippi The Hospitality State ???

As a fifth generation local to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Hank has seen the most insanity of any capitalist system as government agents get involved every aspect of tourism industry, leaving the people in business confused each year as to how to reach their consumers and advance their business. Since Mississippi is currently considered the highest in public corruption and the lowest in per capita income, it seems easy to believe that there is something fishy goin' on down here.

In the 1970s, the tourism industry saw a major loss of business to the independent artists and entrepreneurs, as national chain hotels were becoming more and more popular along the coastal areas. Many of these new accommodations were buiilt on other land that was completely distant from the primary attractions.

While the construction of the interstate was connecting Louisiana to Alabama only a few miles north of Mississippi's coastline, Alabamas economy took off like a rocket. The locals were hearing complaints from tourists that had accidently discovered their attraction and were always hearing about better tourism on the Alabama Coast. The average length of stay and repeat visitation rate had fallen dramatically. The economy became so depressed, that the people voted in the Harrison County Tourism Commission (HCTC) with a 3% tax and spend program in 1979.

For the next 11 years this economic and social depression was still plaguing the independent business owners as national chains kept popping up with great success. Throughout the 1980s, Mississippians could not give away condos at cost, while they were selling for exceptionally high profits in Alabama and Florida. As more unique artists and entrepreneurs opened and closed, the poor remained poor.

The people became so depressed that they voted in casinos as their cure for their future in the early 1990s for Hancock County and Harrison County. By 1993 small businesses were crying foul against the casino industry, which had increased the local hotel occupancy rate to near 100% in summer season and more than doubled occupancy in the three other seasons.

As Hank had interviewed thousands of tourists aboard Mississippi's best known attraction (Ship Island Ferry) before the arrival of the first casino, he sensed that something was wrong as so many tourists accused Mississippi Gulf Coast of false advertising about historic sites, attractions, museums, seafood, etc. Those tourists would always leave thanking Hank for "making their vacation". His boss was astounded. At the time, Hank thought nothing of it.

After hearing those tourism complaints, Hank got more involved and attended every Hotel/Motel meeting and represented Ship Island Ferry with his mother who acted as the marketing director. He learned a great deal about the industry and how easily this audience could be mislead by poor marketing leadership ideas.

To pay for his research, Hank
Hank invented an interactive touch screen to provide high quality multi-media while gathering research about the tourism industry. He was exceptionally successful to selling independent small businesses and accommodations with this direct link to ten touch screens which printed coupons and directions as well as provide cellular link to golf courses and accommodations.