As Natchez gears up for 2016, its tricentennial year as the oldest continuous settlement on the Mississippi River, the word is getting out that it’s time to begin planning a visit — or two — to one of America’s most historic and beloved places. To do this, Natchez is reaching out in a big way.

From March 20-26, Natchez will connect with the world via hundreds of thousands of daily visitors to New York City’s Times Square.

A five-second message will run every hour from 6 a.m. until midnight on ABC’s “Good Morning America” billboard screen at the world famous crossroads of illuminated energy.

This is marketing at its best. An estimated 10 million people will see the message: ‘Natchez, Mississippi, Making History for 300 years! (1716-2016). Plan your visit @visitnatchez.org.’ That audience will include New Yorkers as well as visitors from around the world.

Beyond the Times Square marquee, the same message will be running 10,800 times on the Path (subway) Screens, from April 1 to April 30 in Toronto, Canada. We are finding an increased visitor count from Canada, and with their weather still hovering in the single digits, we want to invite them to Experience Natchez in the spring. They are being further enticed with a full-page ad and a full-page of editorial and photographic coverage in their leading newspaper’s complementary magazine “Horizon.”

With an annual visitation of nearly 650,000, Natchez plays host to Europeans, Canadians, Asians, Africans, Australians — a truly worldwide population. International travelers visit Natchez to see the majestic Mississippi River, which lays at the foot of the city, while 200 feet above, the City’s spectacular bluffs offer some of the most majestic sunsets in the world. It’s not only its geographic beauty that attracts visitors, but the phenomenal, one-of-a-kind architectural treasures, museum properties, and the embracing Southern Hospitality for which Natchez is known. In 1932 a group of ladies pioneered the concept of “Heritage Tourism” when they opened their magnificent homes to the public and established the historic Pilgrimage of homes.

While times have evolved, these spectacular structures continue to draw people from far-and-wide during both the spring and fall as do the wide variety of events and activities provided by the tireless commitment of other community organizations: The Great Mississippi River Balloon Race in October; the Festival of Music in May; Broadway-executed theatrical performances by the Natchez Little Theatre provided throughout the year; one of the finest Antiques Forums in the country which takes place in November; the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration which is featured in February; Christmas in Natchez and many more wonderful community-driven programs, events and activities. With so much to see and so much to do, there’s reason to stay several days in Natchez. Fine hotels and specialty, historic Bed & Breakfasts provide a wide selection for overnight accommodations.

No wonder, with the advent of the film industry, that in 1914, Natchez became the location for the filming of “A Man from Mississippi” and has since played host to countless Hollywood films and documentaries. So, if Natchez is not on your “bucket list,” it should be. And, when you visit, you will quickly understand why! And, that “why” is the reason people come back to Natchez again and again.

Kevin Kirby is CEO of the Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau and director of the Office of Tourism Management. Readers are invited to submit their opinions for publication.