Columbia Celebrates National Sports Tourism Honour As Ridley Sports Complex Powers Visitor Growth

Columbia, Tennessee celebrates a major victory for its tourism industry after Columbia Parks and Recreation Department received the 2025 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism award which recognized Ridley Sports Complex as one of the best small-market sports venues in the United States. The residents believe that the community has received recognition as a reward for their dedication to early morning sports activities and their commitment to hosting overnight visiting teams who used local hotels and dining establishments during their stays.

National recognition for Ridley Sports Complex

The 2025 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism award was presented by Sports Destination Management, the USA’s most widely circulated publication for sports event planners and tournament directors. Ridley Sports Complex was honoured in the Small Market category, underscoring Columbia’s status as a serious player in the fast‑growing sports tourism industry.

Across all honourees, the 2025 Champions collectively generated more than 1.4 billion dollars in economic activity nationwide, illustrating how youth, collegiate and amateur events now function as powerful tourism catalysts for host cities. Columbia’s share includes high‑profile tournaments such as the PGF 13U Super Select, which alone delivered an estimated 2.2 million dollars in economic impact and 900 room nights by bringing elite softball teams and their travelling fans to Ridley Sports Complex.​

City leaders noted that the accolade confirms what visiting organisers already experience on the ground: that Ridley Sports Complex offers a tournament‑ready environment where logistics run smoothly and guests feel genuinely welcomed in the community.

Ridley Sports Complex: Tennessee’s premier tournament hub

Positioned less than 50 miles south of Nashville and around 75 miles north of Huntsville, Ridley Sports Complex sits on the edge of Columbia and has evolved into what is promoted as Tennessee’s Premier Tournament Destination. The complex features 10 dedicated softball fields, nine rectangular multi‑purpose fields, four concession hubs with restrooms, a flexible Tournament Central meeting space and parking for around 1,000 vehicles, making it ideal for large‑scale, multi‑day events.​

Columbia, Tennessee offers more than 800 hotel rooms, providing the capacity needed to host travelling teams, families and officials across a full event schedule. City officials emphasise that the parks and recreation team prides itself on meticulous facility care, responsive on‑site staff and a service‑driven approach that encourages visiting tournaments to return year after year.

How sports tourism fuels Columbia’s visitor economy

Each season, Ridley Sports Complex draws thousands of athletes, coaches and spectators whose spending extends far beyond the playing fields. Tournament weekends translate into full hotel car parks, busy breakfast spots, lively downtown eateries and increased footfall for independent shops and local attractions in and around Columbia.

From a tourism perspective, sports events are helping Columbia broaden its visitor base, attracting families who might not otherwise have discovered this small Tennessee city. City representatives point out that many guests choose to extend their stay to explore historic neighbourhoods, local dining and regional experiences, turning a day of competition into a short leisure break that benefits the wider destination.

Midstate Classic returns 10 March 2026

Columbia, Tennessee will once again take centre stage on 10 March 2026 when Ridley Sports Complex hosts the Midstate Classic, now in its 11th year as one of the region’s marquee collegiate softball showcases. The City of Columbia describes the event as a triple‑header that blends community pride with top‑flight softball, drawing fans from across the Mid‑South.

The 2026 Midstate Classic schedule features three games throughout the day:

• 10:00 a.m. – Columbia Central High School Lions vs Spring Hill High School Raiders
• 1:30 p.m. – Columbia State Community College Lady Chargers vs Calhoun Community College Warhawks
• 5:30 p.m. – University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers vs Austin Peay State University Governors

Gates will open at 7:30 a.m., with general admission priced at 10 dollars including access to all three fixtures. Complimentary ADA transportation will be available before, during and after the tournament, and tickets are on sale via the City of Columbia’s official website, where further visitor information and event updates are also provided.

A growing destination for sports‑led travel

City leaders view Columbia, Tennessee’s recent award and the continued success of events like the Midstate Classic as evidence that the destination is competing and winning on a national stage when it comes to sports‑driven tourism. Parks and recreation officials have indicated that they plan to build on this momentum with ongoing facility enhancements and strategic event recruitment to ensure Ridley Sports Complex remains one of Tennessee’s leading sports destinations.

The future brings families visiting our locations more reasons to come back because we will improve our playing fields and our facilities and our schedule of tournaments will make Columbia a required destination for all future travel plans. Residents express their pride in seeing their hometown receive national exposure while they look forward to welcoming upcoming teams and supporters and first-time visitors who will experience Columbia through sports.

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Natchez, Mississippi Tourism Awakens As Powerful New Documentary Film Exposes The Truth Behind Antebellum Glamour

The historical settlement of Natchez, Mississippi which has existed since before the Revolutionary War now attracts more visitors because of the upcoming theatrical release and New Orleans screenings of Suzannah Herbert’s documentary film Natchez. The film won the Best Documentary Feature award at the 2025 Tribeca Festival and it shows how the town’s antebellum mansions and slavery sites and its local guides struggle to present their authentic historical narratives to visitors. The travel experience provides visitors with a special authentic preview of a location that combines its Southern charm with its present-day dedication to honor African American history and Indigenous heritage.

A tourism town at a crossroads

Natchez frames the river city as a classic Deep South tourism draw, with paddlewheel riverboats docking below bluffs, horse‑drawn carriages clip‑clopping past columned mansions and visitors flowing through lavish parlours dressed in period finery. The film lingers on places like Choctaw Hall and other historic homes that help sustain the local economy by opening their doors for tours, dinners and private events, echoing the Spring and Fall “pilgrimage” tradition that still brings guests into more than 30 estates each year.

Yet, as the documentary underlines, this graceful façade is only one layer of what Natchez presents to tourists. The town once sat at the heart of the cotton economy and hosted one of the largest slave markets in the United States, with the Forks of the Road site now central to efforts to build a fuller narrative for visitors. Travel audiences are shown a destination that is learning to sell its beauty without turning away from the brutality that funded it.

Stories from both sides of the big house

Herbert’s film uses tour guides as the bridge between visitors and the city’s contested past, and this device gives travel‑minded viewers a sense of the voices they might encounter on the ground. One guide, dressed in an antebellum‑style hoop skirt at Choctaw Hall, leans into the romance of Old South grandeur as she welcomes guests into rooms filled with porcelain, crystal and curiosities that have long helped Natchez market itself as a Gone with the Wind‑cinematic city.

Counterbalancing this vision, the documentary follows pastor and guide Tracy Rev Collins, who leads van tours that centre Black history and takes groups to Forks of the Road, the second‑largest slave market in the Deep South after New Orleans. He is portrayed as gently but firmly warning passengers that he intends to challenge comfortable Southern pride narratives with facts, signalling to future visitors that Natchez now offers experiences that go beyond nostalgic tableaux to candid discussions of enslavement and its legacies.

From plantations to parks: new heritage experiences

The tourism landscape shown on screen dovetails with broader heritage developments promoted by official tourism channels. Natchez National Historical Park now links four key sites, Fort Rosalie, the William Johnson House, the Melrose estate and Forks of the Road – under a single interpretive umbrella, giving travellers a way to connect European colonisation, the plantation system, free Black life and the slave trade in one itinerary. Visit Natchez highlights the city’s more than 1,000 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and positions historic stays like the recently reopened Concord Quarters, once accommodation for enslaved people, as a way to experience a different side of pre‑Civil War Natchez.

Beyond the mansions, the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians offers a 128‑acre park with prehistoric mounds, nature trails and an annual powwow, widening the destination story to include Indigenous history long predating European arrival. For culturally curious visitors, these official offerings, set against the backdrop of the film, suggest a city ready to be explored through multiple timelines rather than one tidy narrative.

​A changing community reshaping its visitor appeal

Herbert’s documentary also hints at how social change is reshaping Natchez’s visitor identity, from LGBTQ homeowners restoring historic properties to community fundraisers with drag performers taking place under Corinthian columns while religious protesters gather outside. The film notes that many historic homes are now owned by gay men and that newer generations of travellers are less drawn to pure antebellum fantasy, a shift echoed by commentators who describe Natchez as economically pivoting from plantation powerhouse to a tourism hub that must now answer to more questioning guests.

Local figures such as Deborah Cosey, reported as the first Black member of the Natchez Garden Club and owner of a former slave dwelling opened to guests, are shown arguing that behind the big house is the rest of the story, a sentiment that aligns with the destination’s gradual move towards more inclusive programming. For visitors, this means that a weekend in Natchez can now encompass grand parlours and hard conversations, river views and remembrance, with the film serving as both introduction and invitation.

Bottom Line

Natchez exists as a more complete southern destination. The film Natchez transforms its titular location into more than a scenic Highway 61 attraction which develops into an entity that displays multiple conflicting characteristics and shows neighbor disputes as well as different methods people use to safeguard their beloved possessions while accepting past events.

Travelers who select their Deep South vacation destination will find the site appealing because it offers a combination of pristine mansions and historic Forks of the Road site and Grand Village mounds and guides who now present authentic historical accounts. Natchez establishes itself as a new tourist destination which offers visitors authentic Southern hospitality that combines genuine warmth with complex cultural understanding and a vision for mutual progress through its transition from festival presentations in New York and New Orleans to its bluffs that overlook the Mississippi River.

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India Tourism Honours Dekho Apna Desh Winners, Hosting Hospitality Education Expo In Goa: Here’s What You Need To Know

The seaside tourism hub of Goa played host to a dynamic blend of awards, skill workshops and career guidance as India Tourism, under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, organised the Dekho Apna Desh Brochure Making Contest award ceremony alongside a Hospitality Education Expo at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Goa, Porvorim, on 18 February 2026. Students, parents and teachers experienced the campus transform into a showcase of India’s tourism diversity and hospitality careers, creating a warm, aspirational atmosphere around the country’s visitor economy.

Celebration of young tourism storytellers

The event, conducted through India Tourism’s regional set‑up, recognised student teams whose brochure designs creatively promoted domestic destinations in line with the Ministry’s Dekho Apna Desh vision of encouraging Indians to explore their own country. Participants were felicitated for imaginative layouts, compelling narratives and the ability to package local culture, heritage and experiences into travel‑ready collateral aimed at inspiring real journeys across India.

Officials noted that the contest complements wider Ministry efforts such as Incredible India and Utsav portals, which collectively spotlight destinations, festivals and experiences to enhance India’s appeal for both domestic and international travellers. The contest format also nudges schools to integrate tourism awareness into co‑curricular activities, giving students an early sense of how creative communication can influence travel decisions.

Industry leaders champion experiential learning

Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, Managing Director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), attended as Chief Guest and underlined that experiential learning and hands‑on exposure are crucial if students are to shape the next generation of Goa and India’s tourism offerings. He was stated to have encouraged learners to view national tourism initiatives as platforms to contribute ideas rather than just observe from the sidelines.

Shri Mohamed Farouk, Deputy Director General and Regional Director (West & Central Region), Ministry of Tourism, highlighted that platforms such as the Hospitality Education Expo help nurture skilled professionals who can support the Ministry’s broader mandate of developing and promoting tourism across the country. His remarks indicated that bridging classroom learning with industry expectations will be central to sustaining quality standards and visitor satisfaction across Indian destinations.

Shri Gavin Dias, General Manager (Marketing & IT), GTDC, joined as Guest of Honour, reinforcing the role of strategic marketing, digital presence and product development in keeping Goa competitive as a year‑round tourism destination.

Hospitality Education Expo: campus meets real‑world tourism

The Hospitality Education Expo at IHM Goa gave attendees an interactive window into how hospitality skills translate into guest experiences at hotels, cruises and tourism enterprises across India. Representatives from prominent brands such as Indian Hotels Company Limited, The Park Hotels, Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Carnival Support Services India Pvt. Ltd. engaged directly with students, sharing insights on emerging trends, service excellence and global career pathways.

Beyond booth interactions, the Expo emphasised practical demonstrations: sessions on flower arrangement, terrarium making and towel art showcased the detailed craftsmanship that underpins memorable stays in hotels and resorts. These workshops helped students appreciate how small, thoughtful touches contribute significantly to guest satisfaction and repeat travel, a core objective of India’s tourism strategy.

Clear academic pathways into tourism careers

A focused presentation explained the role of the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) in standardising hospitality education across India, along with course options at IHM and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) route into the system. Speakers outlined how structured programmes in hotel management, tourism and allied services can lead to roles across front office operations, culinary arts, travel trade, cruise operations and destination management.

The discussion aligned with the Ministry of Tourism’s emphasis on skilling and capacity building through dedicated divisions that support human resource development and quality enhancement in the sector. Students and parents were given a realistic view of progression from classroom to internship to full‑time roles in hotels, tourism boards and travel companies, linking education choices directly with the growth of India’s visitor economy.

Strengthening India’s tourism ecosystem from Goa

Nearly 250 students, along with parents, teachers, Ministry officials and industry representatives, participated in the programme, turning the IHM Goa campus into a microcosm of India’s wider tourism ecosystem for a day. By combining recognition of young ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ brochure creators with immersive exposure to hospitality education and industry trends, the initiative reinforced Goa’s image as not just a leisure destination but also a hub nurturing future tourism professionals.

The participants developed deeper emotional ties to various Indian destinations while understanding their potential contributions to the tourism industry through their roles as storytellers, hoteliers, tour designers, and destination managers. The Ministry of Tourism continues its work to establish tourism as a fundamental element of national development through its ongoing initiatives.

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Dead Sea Tourist Beach: Jordan Tourism Push Unveils Dazzling New Waterfront Experience!

The Dead Sea Tourist Beach has entered a new redevelopment phase which the Jordan Free and Development Zones Group (JFDZ) has initiated to improve one of the Kingdom’s most famous beachfronts. The beach will offer visitors a better family-friendly experience on the world’s lowest shoreline.

Dead Sea upgrade to anchor tourism growth

The new phase of works at the Dead Sea Tourist Beach, formerly known as Amman Tourist Beach, is a cornerstone of JFDZ’s strategy to elevate Jordan’s national tourism offering and sharpen the Dead Sea Development Zone’s positioning as a global destination. The project is designed to add an attractive public leisure outlet for Jordanians and international visitors alike, dovetailing with wider efforts to drive tourism‑led economic growth in the Kingdom.

JFDZ has signed a management and operation agreement with FHM Hospitality Management, a Jordanian company specialising in hotels, restaurants and tourism facilities, to run the revamped beach in line with international standards. The site is being readied to welcome guests during Eid Al Fitr and throughout the next tourism season, positioning the beach as a high‑capacity hub for day trips and short breaks.

Modern, family‑focused seaside experience

Covering around 240 dunums and able to host more than 4,500 visitors at a time, the Dead Sea Tourist Beach is being reshaped as a safe, family‑oriented shoreline experience. The development plan includes upgraded service facilities, renewed infrastructure, and shaded seating areas that will allow travellers to linger comfortably by the water even in the heat of the day.

Hospitality and recreational services are being tailored to match visitor expectations at a world‑renowned wellness and nature destination, from improved beach access and changing facilities to enhanced food and beverage offerings and curated leisure activities. JFDZ’s leadership has indicated that these amenities, delivered under a single professional operator, are expected to transform the beach into a more coherent and premium experience rather than a basic public access point.

Integration with Corniche and wider Dead Sea vision

The redevelopment is also about stitching the Dead Sea waterfront into a more connected and attractive tourism corridor. JFDZ’s chair was cited as saying that the Tourist Beach and the Corniche projects form two key pillars in enhancing the area’s overall appeal, with the new phase aimed at deepening integration between these anchors.

This aligns with the broader master‑planning of the Dead Sea Development Zone, which envisages a balanced mix of resorts, public beaches, dining, retail and cultural experiences along the eastern shore. As stalled investments are resolved and new projects come on stream, the reimagined Tourist Beach is expected to serve as a lively public gateway that complements adjacent upscale hotels and wellness retreats rather than competing with them.

Technology, safety and sustainability at the core

Under the agreement with FHM Hospitality Management, the beach will be run using modern management systems and advanced technologies, covering day‑to‑day operations, maintenance, marketing, digital promotion and ticketing. JFDZ representatives have underlined that strict adherence to public safety and environmental sustainability standards is central to the operating model, reflecting the environmental sensitivity of the Dead Sea ecosystem.

This approach is consistent with the development zone’s long‑term planning, which promotes resource‑efficient infrastructure, careful land use and visitor management to protect the Dead Sea’s fragile shoreline while still enabling tourism growth. For travellers, this should translate into cleaner facilities, better‑managed crowds and clearer information, enhancing the overall sense of comfort and security on the beach.

Local impact and future visitor appeal

Beyond the visitor experience, JFDZ has highlighted that the project will generate direct employment for residents of surrounding communities and activate the group’s corporate social responsibility programmes in the area. These initiatives are intended to support the local environment and promote sustainable development, ensuring that tourism revenues feed back into community welfare and skills development.

Looking Ahead

The renewed Dead Sea Tourist Beach now provides better access to one of Jordan’s most famous natural sites for all visitors who come to the beach from Amman for day trips or who want to spend time with their families at the water or who plan to stay at the beach for wellness treatments. The upgraded facilities and improved management system together with the connection to Corniche and other Dead Sea developments will transform this beachfront area into a public seaside destination that visitors will enjoy returning to and recommending to others.

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