Today, Mayor Errick D. Simmons announces Viking will commence stops in Greenville this Friday, February 24, 2023, bringing thousands of tourists over a period of time.
As Greenville mayor and Co-Chair of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI), Mayor Simmons approached Viking last year about adding Greenville as a stop for Viking to experience the Delta culture, warm hospitality, great food, great people, and great places in Greenville. MRCTI is an organization of 103 Mayors along the main stem Mississippi River. Tourism on the Mississippi River supports over 300,000 jobs, and those visiting the river spend 20 billion dollars annually. Viking launched operations on the Mississippi River just last year and other cruise lines are expanding operations. Greenville is now poised to become a greater part of this industry, which many cities along the river have benefited from.
Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans, and lakes around the world. Designed for experienced travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences for The Thinking Person™ . Viking has more than 250 awards to its name, including being the first cruise line to ever be named both the #1 Ocean Line and the #1 River Line in a single year in Travel + Leisure’s 2022 “World’s Best” Awards. Viking has also been rated the #1 River Line and #1 Ocean Line by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2022 and 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Statement of Mayor Errick D. Simmons:
“The river cruising industry is expanding rapidly along the United States' most important and iconic river. Greenville’s history and heritage are an important part of the Mississippi River’s heritage. Tourists can now gain a deeper understanding of the Mississippi Delta and the resilient nature of its people surviving incredible natural disasters. We can also thank the region for giving us blues music, which later inspired rock and roll and R&B music. Thanks for coming to Greenville. This partnership produces a wealth of opportunities for Greenville, our businesses, and our residents.”
