The tourism industry in Vicksburg received a boost Saturday when the American Duchess arrived in town.

The American Duchess, American Queen Steamboat Co.’s newest riverboat, was in the River City Saturday to give local officials a tour of the boat that will be making 28 stops here in 2018.

“We are committed to the Mississippi,” said Bob Buesing with American Queen Shore Excursions.

Beusing told a small crowd of about 20 local officials and invited guests gathered in the boat’s salon area that company officials consider the city a partner in their efforts to make their river cruises interesting.

He said the new riverboat’s visits to the city are expected to provide $1.8 million in revenue annually to the city.

The partnership between the city of Vicksburg and American Queen began in 2012 and Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said city officials plan to continue the partnership.

“We have every intention of keeping the tradition of Vicksburg being a stop with our hospitality and our cultural experience, and showcasing our amenities, which our visitors can enjoy from the downtown area to the military park and to all the (tour) stops they make,” he said.