by Sabrina Simms

NATCHEZ — The Natchez hotel industry has an opportunity tourism officials say will open the door to a better visitor experience by talking and listening to one another.Visit Natchez and the Natchez Convention Promotion Commission will host a gathering at the Visitor Reception Center’s theater at 2 to 3 p.m. Monday for hotel managers, sales directors and other senior representatives of the Natchez hotel industry.

Executive Director of NCPC and Visit Natchez Jennifer Ogden Combs said developing an association between these industries will allow a better flow of communication and the spreading of information on all of the events and attractions Natchez can offer.

“One of the things that came out of our Tourism Summit last year was the need to have some associations like a hotel association, food and beverage association and attraction association where groups that are dealing with similar issues could gather periodically,” Combs said.

She said Natchez currently does not have a direct line of communication between these separate but similar entities, and other tourist destinations have already developed these associations.

She said Natchez can grow as people learn from others’ successes and find out what is working for each industry.

“I hope there’s … a willingness to start an ongoing hotel and lodging association that can address and deal with things as they are coming up, and start an open communication,” Combs said.

She said the speakers of this meeting will be the leaders of these industries themselves.

“Frankly, I’m not there to solve their problems,” Combs said. “What I’m doing is trying to facilitate the first meeting in a neutral setting.”

Combs hopes similar industries will create similar associations.

Combs said she would also show these industries how to stay updated on the conventions and events that Natchez has to allow for an easier and more convenient stay for tourists — regardless of their booking choice.

“A lot of the hotels and (bed and breakfasts) deal with the same things,” Combs said. “What I want to share with them is where on the website they can find everything that is going on and how to get to it. It’s really so simple — just reminding everybody … so they are prepared.”

Combs said she will hopefully host a similar gathering for other industries at a later date.

“We’re all tourism partners in Natchez,” Combs said. “My goal in this is trying to help groups work together better — how to get all of us working together better to make Natchez grow, make tourism grow and ultimately make Natchez more successful.”

Combs said she hopes attendees will gain new information and ideas that will help their industry — and ultimately Natchez — to thrive.

“I hope people will come with an open ear, open heart and open mind — and are willing to listen and share ideas,” Combs said. “No idea is a bad idea. It’s a great opportunity to share, think and be creative.”