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HANNIBAL, MO. -- Businesses in Hannibal look forward to an exciting tourism season, despite the economy.

As you may know, this year marks the "Year of Twain" - that's a special year-long celebration of Mark Twain.  Beau Hicks with the Hannibal Convention and Visitors Bureau says visitors and residents can expect an explosive season.

The city's already received recognition in Chicago and St. Louis newspapers about events this summer.  Last year Hannibal had about 300,000 visitors.

Hicks expects to draw more visitors this year, especially with the Hannibal Cavemen baseball games... Plus great concert line-ups. He also adds that the city will take National Tom Sawyer Days to a new level.

With forecasters calling for a significant flooding season, Hicks doesn't want people to let that dampen their summer plans.

"We're protected by a flood wall. In 2008, the only thing disrupted was where you got on the riverboat. So as we look towards that, I just want to remind people that we live in the midwest and we have typical spring flooding every year," Beau Hicks.

A new hotel in Hannibal may help accommodate more visitors.  There are plans for a new Comfort Inn and Suites and construction could start within the year.

For a list of events and attractions in Hannibal click here www.visithannibal.com