The Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau and Natchez Office of Tourism Management will host a reception at 5 p.m. today in honor of National Tourism Week.

The reception, to be held at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center on Canal Street, will feature new state tourism Director Darienne Wilson.

Wilson is a former Natchez resident and was appointed to her position with the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development by Gov. Ronnie Musgrove this year.

Tourism has become a $5.5 billion business in Mississippi. At the announcement of Wilson’s appointment, MDECD Director J.C. Burns cited Wilson’s leadership in the private sector to develop tourism. Wilson served for more than 10 years as executive director of the Mississippi Tourism Association, the state’s private sector association but has members from throughout the tourism industry. The association’s membership has grown to more than 225 from about 20. Members include convention and visitors bureaus, hotels, restaurants, attractions and casinos.

Wilson began her career in tourism as director of sales and catering at the Natchez Eola Hotel when it first reopened.

&uot;Darienne Wilson brings to tourism the keen vision for what Mississippi can be,&uot; Burns said. &uot;She has the professional foundation in Mississippi tourism as well as the energy and vitality to director our tourism efforts to a higher level, and I am delighted to have her on board.&uot;