NICHOLSON - Students in Rachael Parr's seventh-grade life science class at East Jackson Middle School learn more than what they glean from the pages of a textbook or the lines of a lecture.

In a state decimated by a global recession, tourism is more important than ever, Gov. Sonny Perdue said Wednesday at a conference in Athens for the hospitality industry.

Athens’ tourism industry is getting a much-needed boost this week — from the tourism industry itself.