“We get at least one tour group a year for the Azalea Festival or the Garden of Lights,” she said.

Members of the Federation of Colored Women’s Groups, most wearing bright purple dresses, gathered at LaQuinta Inn & Suites for a convention this weekend.

Federation Past President DeLois McGee said the hotel had just what she needed for the group.

“We live in Checotah and we didn’t have a facility with a meeting room,” she said. “And we also have several past presidents from this area.”

What the city is doing to roll out the red carpet for visitors seems to be working, according to Haas.

“When they come back, they say they really enjoy the town.”

The impressive statistics from the chamber of commerce help explain why McKenzie is so excited about tourism. She and those allied with her have poured energy and ideas into making Muskogee more “visitor friendly.”

“That’s why our Web site (www.muskogeechamber.org) is so varied: each individual has their own different passion,” she said. “There are so many things about Muskogee that are permanent that give visitors something to do, whether it’s the Batfish or the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. We have a wide variety of events that include different interests and hobbies.”

McGee said Federation members came in from Langston, Guthrie, Eufaula, Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Some are expected to take in Muskogee sights, she said.

“After tonight’s session, some might go to the Creek Nation Casino,” she said.

Jackie Gates of Oklahoma City said she ate at Okie’s Restaurant on Thursday night.

“It was wonderful, we had a great steak,” she said. “We did go into the casino and we went to the Mall, that was kind of impressive.”

Odette Cober said she had visited Honor Heights Park on a previous visit and would like to see it again.

McKenzie said the great thing about tourism is that it is economic development in its purest form; people come here, spend their money, and go home.

“We don’t have to educate their children or fix their potholes,” she said. “It costs the local citizens nothing. Local hotel/motel taxes are paid for by visitors who come and stay in our hotels. So, at no cost to a citizen, we get improvements to our city and quality of life.”