Troy and Pike County representatives took part in a celebration to mark the importance of tourism in our county this week.

The tourism rally day, held in conjunction with Natinal Tourism Week, marks the impact tourism has right here in Pike County.

And there’s no denying that impact is vital to our economy.

This week alone is a testament to that — thanks to the Sunbelt Conference softball tournament, high school softball tournaments, Troy University graduation and other events, hotel rooms are booked to capacity; restaurants are filled; shops are seeing cash registers ring; and retailers from gas stations to convenience stores are feeling the benefits.

While tourism peaks in the fall during football season and in spring/summer months during softball and baseball tournament seasons (and with all the traffic headed to Florida beaches on U.S. 231), we have a strong year-round tourism base here. More than . 880 jobs are credited to tourism and more than $270,000 is generated annually from the lodging tax. And, growth in the industry has prompted Troy Universrity to add a degree program in Hospitality, Sports and Tourism Management to its course selection this fall.

So kudos for tourism and the folks who work behinds the scenes — and on the front lines — to promote our community and all we have to offer.