In an effort to increase tourism in Mississippi, Gov. Haley Barbour has signed a proclamation and a contest have been announced.

This week is National Tourism Week, and Wednesday was Picayune day at the Pearl River County Welcome Center in Nicholson where members of the fire department and police department were in attendance along with local business owners and members of the community. According to a press release from the Mississippi Development Authority, the purpose of National Tourism Week is to promote tourism, which is crucial for the economic stability of the country.

Barbour recently signed a proclamation declaring May 12-20, 2007 as Mississippi Tourism Week.

To promote tourism week the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division announced a contest that involves motorist participation. All motorists need to do is get a sticker from the welcome center and display it on their vehicle, said Pearl River County Welcome Center Director Cindy Schoomaker.

During the week secret spotters will search Mississippi in each of the five state regions. Those regions are the Coastal where Pearl River County lies, Pines, Hill, Delta and Capital River. For each region there will be one winner who will receive a trip to one of the five regions in Mississippi.

Winners will be notified June 1, and will have 48 hours to contact the MDA Tourism Division to claim their prize. Those lucky five will receive a packet with all the details. Schoomaker said further details were not provided to her.