How did the new Mississippi Aquarium do in its first year? Here’s a breakdown.
Mississippi Aquarium opened a year ago on Aug. 29, 2020, and despite hurricanes and the coronavirus, the new attraction met attendance and revenue goals.
The aquarium had more than 325,000 visitors in its first year and generated over $10 million in revenue, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Kendra Simpson said Wednesday at the Gulfport Reports program by Gulfport Chamber of Commerce.
The opening was delayed by the coronavirus, and construction costs jumped from $93 million in 2017 to more than $103 million. To break even, the initial estimate was the aquarium would need an average of 1,000 visitors a day.
In addition to the penguins and 200 other species of animals at the aquarium, Simpson said events like a craft beer festival, mermaid parties and a 5K race helped draw people in.
Coming up are Sea of Stars fundraiser, drone and fireworks show on Oct. 1 and a Mermaids & Pirates event Oct. 28-31 and Nov. 4-7.
“Some wonderful, amazing things have happened in the last 12 months,” Simpson said.
In December, the aquarium was voted one of the best new attractions in the United States by the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice awards.
She said that also during the first year:
- The aquarium signed up more than 8,000 members
- Provided 165 full-time and part-time and part-time jobs
- Saw about 2,600-3,000 visitors a day during spring break
- Presented eco-tours on the water with Ship Island Excursions
- Began a summer camp program
- Took the aquarium on the road to other areas of Mississippi to reach more than 1,000 kids
- Rehabilitated and released 23 of the 25 endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles it accepted back into the Gulf
- Received worldwide recognition for performing surgery on Stella, a sand tiger shark who later died from her injuries. The research and advancements from the treatment will guide future vet teams, Simpson said.
“We’re really just getting started,” Simpson said. More construction projects are coming next year, she said, and the staff has “amazing ideas” and more partnerships planned.
The aquarium partnered with Chandeleur Brewing Company to create “Consume for Conservation” craft beers to benefit the aquarium and will launch a new one on Sept. 10, she said.
This story was originally published September 10, 2021 at 5:50 AM.
