The Mississippi Development Authority shall have the following general powers and duties with respect to tourism:
To promote and advertise the image of Mississippi both within and without the boundaries of this state;
To promote and advertise fairs and similar activities of interest to tourists and the traveling public;
To promote and advertise the use of wildlife and natural areas by tourists and the traveling public;
To promote and advertise the use of state recreational and park facilities by tourists and the traveling public;
To promote and advertise all resources of the State of Mississippi as attractions to tourists and the traveling public;
To develop for all agencies of state government the necessary promotional and advertising materials needed to promote all facilities and programs which may be of interest to travelers and tourists;
To maintain an educational awareness program for the citizens of the state to constantly encourage increased development of activities of interest to tourists and the traveling public;
To develop and maintain an information services system to adequately guide tourists and the traveling public within the boundaries of the state;
To develop and maintain an extensive media program to adequately inform the national and international consumer about Mississippi;
To enter into contracts and other agreements with local tourism commissions or similar entities for the purpose of developing regional strategies for tourism promotion. The Mississippi Development Authority, in conjunction with the formulation of regional strategies for tourism promotion, may require that local tourism commissions or similar entities enter into agreements with the authority as a condition for receiving any state grants to promote tourism; and
To develop programs and projects promoting the state's heritage, history, culture, literature and arts, including the positive recovery of the state after damages caused by natural disasters, and demonstrating the state's attractiveness as a tourism destination for those and other reasons.