BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -
People from across the country come to the Coast to experience its many attractions. Now, Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention Visitors Bureau, or CVB, is trying to promote international tourism by helping fund international travel agents' visits to the Coast.
The group of German travel agents finished up breakfast at Home 2 Suites in D'iberville.
It was the last American meal they'll have before heading home to Germany.
"They can live it. Go back and say we've done it. We've lived it. This is a great trip," said CVB Leisure Sales Manager Annette Rand.
Rand set up their short, but full day-and-a-half itinerary.
"We went to, The Ohr-O'Keefe Museum, to the Biloxi Welcome Center, to the lighthouse, Beauvoir and we walked on the beach. They went to the outlet mall and had dinner at Half Shell," said Rand.
"It's definitely different from Germany. For us, it was a unique experience," said German travel agent Schirin Abdelwahed.
When Kerstein Niedermayer was asked her favorite part of the trip, she responded, "The beach."
These agents have been to areas across the United States, but it was their first time to Mississippi.
They're convinced it'll be an easy sell.
"Our clients especially in Germany would like it very much here because it's still kind of a sleeping beauty for us, not very known," Abdelwahed.
"Very special area, nothing like the first time visitors to the U.S. would see," said German travel agent Uli Grabe.
The success of the trip was evident with the smiles they wore on their way out.
They may be leaving with more luggage than they came, but they say that's a good thing, and they'll soon be telling people in Germany about their great experience on the Mississippi Gulf Coast."
"Goodbye Gulf Coast, we'll be back!" said Grabe.
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