But local tourist officials are happy that one guest left early.

"We encourage visitors to plan extended stays to our area, but in this case we are glad to see Hurricane Georges check out early and cut short his stay," said Stephen Richer, executive director of the Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"Now that this unwelcomed guest has departed, we are focused on returning our tourism business to normal in short order."

Hurricane Georges passed through the Gulf Coast Monday, bringing high winds and heavy rains. The resulting destruction was less than feared, and no hotel or casino suffered significant structural damage.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast in recent years has developed into a destination resort with 12,000 hotel and motel rooms, and 11 dockside casinos. Another 4,000 plus rooms, including 1,800 at Mirage Resort's Beau Rivage property, are expected to be completed by year end 1999.

"The casinos appeared to have passed this hurricane test," said Biloxi Mayor A. J. Holloway.

The casinos did close during the storm, and most hotels evacuated guests as a safety precaution. Tourism officials, however, are hopeful that the $3 billion industry can be back in full operation by this weekend.

By Tuesday morning eating establishments were already starting to open.

"We dodged a bullet," said Richer. "Fortunately we did not suffer the widespread damage to properties that was feared."

Bill Holmes, executive director of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, said events scheduled for this weekend are still on tap.

"We are not going to miss a lick," said Holmes, whose property hosts 800,000 attendees annually. "We are in good shape, and do not expect a disruption of business."

The Imperial Palace, the 31-floor casino/hotel on the Biloxi Back Bay, weathered the storm with only minor repair work needed. "We didn't have a broken window," said Imperial Palace spokesman Joe Giardina. "We are very, very happy with how we fared."

Giardina said Imperial Palace officials are hoping that the dockside facility can open Wednesday, but that decision will rest in the hands of the Mississippi Gaming Commission which regulates the industry.

He reported the Imperial Palace hotel will reopen 850 rooms in conjunction with the casino, and that IP had been receiving reservation requests from insurance adjusters assigned to the Coast during the recovery efforts.

Tourism is the Mississippi Gulf Coast's biggest industry in terms of economic impact and employment.

The Coast offers a broad variety of activities includes special events such as Mardi Gras, Spring Pilgrimage, World Championship Power Boat Races, Gulf Coast Fishing Rodeo, Keesler Air Force Base Airshow Open Hose, PRCA Championship Rodeo and Nike Classic Golf Tournament.

Richer said that next week's Crusin' The Coast will take place as scheduled. The event, set to run Oct. 8-11, last year drew 40,000 people.

"We are expecting up to 2,000 classic automobiles for this, the country's largest block party," Richer said. "This year many residents will be breathing a sigh of relief and I expect will be in a festive mood."

For more information, contact Vincent Creel at the Biloxi Mayor's office at 228/435-6129; Bill Holmes at the Coast Coliseum and Convention Center at 288/388-8010; or Joe Giardina at Imperial Palace Casino/Hotel at 288/436-3000.