3 Southern Women Changing the Way We Travel
Meet three influential leaders shaping tourism across the South, all passionately showcasing the unique culture, beauty, and experiences of their home states.
The StyleBlueprint team is passionate about spreading the gospel of the South. The history, the food, the beautiful landscapes, the talented creators. But no one is more passionate about inviting folks to experience the beauty of their home states than the women and men who make travel their business.
Today, get to know three FACES of the Southern travel industry: three of the South’s leading travel directors. Rochelle Hicks is Visit Mississippi‘s Director of Tourism, Rita McClenney is President & CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation, and Dalaney Thomas is Director of Arkansas Tourism. These powerhouse women are leading the charge for their states — and we’re ALL reaping the benefits.
Rochelle Hicks | Director of Tourism, Visit Mississippi
Rochelle Hicks grew up in Natchez and knows Mississippi inside and out. “Tourism has been part of my story for as long as I can remember,” she says. “Growing up in the Natchez area, I saw firsthand how visitors contribute to local communities and economies. My parents owned a gift shop, which gave me an early appreciation for hospitality and the importance of creating memorable experiences.”
Rochelle spent more than a decade with the Ridgeland Tourism Commission, later served as executive director of the Mississippi Tourism Association, and worked in nonprofit advancement before joining Visit Mississippi in August 2023. “Across each role, my focus has remained the same: showcasing the people, places, and experiences that make Mississippi special,” she tells us.
What do you love most about working in the travel industry?
Travel creates joy, meaningful connections, and lasting memories. It also helps preserve and share the traditions that make Southern communities unique. From family-owned restaurants and local festivals to historic downtowns and live music venues, tourism supports local businesses, creates jobs, and strengthens communities across Mississippi.
Introducing someone to the state for the first time and watching them experience our culture and hospitality is incredibly rewarding.
What’s something you wish more people knew about your state?
I wish more people realized how deeply Mississippi has influenced Southern and American culture. As the birthplace of America’s music, our state has roots in blues, country, gospel, and rock ‘n’ roll that continue to shape artists and genres worldwide.
Mississippi is also home to an extraordinary literary legacy, influential civil rights history, diverse landscapes, and culinary traditions that reflect generations of cultural exchange.
What often surprises first-time visitors is the depth and authenticity of the experiences they find here. From the Delta and the Gulf Coast to small towns and vibrant cities, each region offers its own stories, traditions, and sense of place.
You’re hosting a first-time visitor who only has ONE DAY in the state of Mississippi. What’s the ultimate itinerary?
- We would start the day in Natchez or Vicksburg with a spectacular sunrise over the Mississippi River and a tour of these two beautiful historic cities. From there, we’d travel through the Delta to experience the birthplace of the blues in Clarksdale, visiting stops along the Mississippi Blues Trail and the GRAMMY Museum.
- We’d enjoy lunch at a fun local eatery or at one of our Michelin-recognized restaurants, and then make our way to Jackson to visit the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum for an unforgettable look at our state’s history and impact.
- We’d finish the day with live music and dinner on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, enjoying a gorgeous sunset while dining on incredible local seafood.
It’s impossible to see everything Mississippi has to offer in one day, but you can certainly experience the culture, history, music, and hospitality that define our state. (And you should definitely plan to stay for several days!)
Lightning Round!
Best piece of advice: Relationships matter. Treat people with kindness, stay curious, and never underestimate the power of listening.
Favorite travel hack: I recommend downloading destination apps and building a flexible itinerary that leaves time for unexpected discoveries.
Favorite recent read (or podcast!): My latest read is The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett, the Mississippi-born author best known for The Help. I enjoy books that blend compelling characters with a strong sense of place — especially stories that capture Southern life.
My favorite podcast (shameless plug) is Mississippi on the Map. It highlights the people, places, stories, and experiences that make our state unique.
Rita McClenney | President & CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation
Rita McClenney was born and raised in Southampton County, VA, and while she had stints living in New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, her heart has always remained in Virginia. Before she stepped into her role as President & CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation, she served as the state’s Film Commissioner for 20 years, recruiting projects to be filmed in the Commonwealth — including notable titles like Minority Report, Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, and Hannibal!
What do you love most about working in the travel industry?
Travel connects people to places and to one another, and I’m inspired by the role tourism plays in telling Virginia’s story, inviting visitors to experience the state while supporting local businesses and destinations. Working in tourism and travel allows me to highlight what makes Virginia unique, strengthen communities across the Commonwealth, and share the pride we have in this place with the world.
What’s something you wish more people knew about your state?
Virginia is the site of the first Thanksgiving at Berkeley Plantation AND home to the first Black cultural center — Jackson Ward in Richmond, Virginia.
You’re hosting a first-time visitor who only has ONE DAY in the state of Virginia. What’s the ultimate itinerary?
- Coffee in the Virginia Beach’s ViBe District. Take a bicycle ride on the boardwalk, and surf (if that’s your jam) at the Atlantic Surf Park.
- Drive across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge for lunch at the Bridge Street Café — amazing view.
- Visit Chincoteague Island to see the Assateague ponies across the water.
- Spend the evening on a dead rise boat! Go with a waterman to harvest oysters and roast them upon returning, paired with a Virginia Rosé wine from The Dog and Oyster.
Lightning Round!
Favorite travel hack: Pack light, take no more than two pairs of shoes. Never ever check luggage, always carry-on.
Favorite recent read (or podcast!): Atlas Obscura — finding hidden travel gems and oddities
Best piece of advice: Someone may not remember what you said. They will, however, always remember how you made them feel.
Dalaney Thomas | Director of Arkansas Tourism
A lifelong Little Rock resident, Dalaney Thomas is perfectly positioned to tell the Arkansas story. “For the last decade, my work has focused on strengthening and supporting The Natural State’s tourism and hospitality sector,” says Dalaney. “Before joining Arkansas Parks, Heritage & Tourism, I led the state’s marketing efforts at our advertising agency, collaborating closely with partners across the industry.”
What do you love most about working in the travel industry?
The people. Arkansans are some of the kindest individuals you’ll meet, and when you look specifically at the people who make up our travel industry, you find an incredible combination of warmth, hospitality, creativity, and innovation.
Tourism is Arkansas’s second‑largest industry, with more than 70,000 people working across tourism and hospitality. What I love most is knowing my work ultimately supports them.
What’s something you wish more people knew about your state?
Arkansas is known as The Natural State for a reason, and the broader outdoor community has taken notice. We’re home to America’s first national river, the Buffalo National River; the oldest federally protected land in the National Park System, Hot Springs National Park; Stuttgart, the Duck Capital of the World; Bentonville, the Mountain Bike Capital of the World; and waterways and national forest lands that offer some of the premier natural spaces in the country.
You’re hosting a first-time visitor who only has ONE DAY in the state of Arkansas. What’s the ultimate itinerary?
Asking a tourism director to pick just one thing to do is a bit like asking someone to choose a favorite child — but if I had to pick an experience that would make a first‑time visitor want to return, I’d send them to Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas’s first state park. Visitors can take on classic hikes like the trail to Cedar Falls — one of Arkansas’s most impressive waterfalls — or opt for guided adventures through Frontier Climbing.
This summer, the renovated Petit Jean Lodge will reopen with refreshed comfort and charm. The park is also debuting Arkansas’s second via ferrata* — the only one located inside a state park anywhere in the country. And with new mountain bike trails slated to open this fall, Petit Jean’s lineup of adventure options continues to grow.
Editor’s Note: A via ferrata is a protected mountain climbing route equipped with fixed cables, iron rungs, ladders, and suspension bridges.
Lightning Round!
Favorite travel hack: My favorite travel hack is actually working in the travel industry. I’m fortunate to know tourism directors across the country — including the incredible women featured in this roundup — and they’ve become my built‑in guides whenever I visit their states. Their recommendations always lead me to the best experiences, the hidden gems, and the spots you’d never find on a standard travel list.
Before you visit a state or destination, try to connect with someone in the tourism space and ask them where to go and what to do. There’s nothing quite like getting insider advice from someone who lives and breathes the place you’re about to explore.
Favorite recent read (or podcast!): In the summer, I always find myself reaching for an Emily Henry novel … I also highly recommend The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. He makes a compelling case that the rise in mental health challenges in teens is tied to the shift from play‑based to phone‑based childhoods. It’s a thought‑provoking read that underscores just how important it is to spend time off our screens and outdoors.
Best piece of advice: The best advice I’ve ever received is to limit the use of “I.” We succeed as a team. It may sound simple, but in professional environments, using “we” reinforces that progress is shared and that every win is the result of partnership.
Tourism, especially, is built on collaboration — no single person carries the work alone. That mindset has stayed with me throughout my career: don’t take the credit, celebrate as a team. It creates trust, camaraderie, and a stronger industry overall.
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Alissa Harb
Alissa Harb is StyleBlueprint's Managing Editor, based in Nashville. A lifelong Tennessee native, Alissa has over 14 years of experience in digital media and loves writing about food, travel, and entertaining. She is a lover of dogs, true crime, and ordering for the table.