WATCH: Southern Cuisine Served at State House

The fastest way into someone's heart is through the stomach.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — The fastest way into someone’s heart is through the stomach.

South Carolina’s hospitality industry knows that’s true for many of the millions of tourists who travel to our beaches and cities every year. It’s also why organizers of an event at the State House on Wednesday served a tasty helping of Southern cuisine.

The idea is to promote the importance of food service, lodging and tourism to the state’s economy. In February, Gov. Nikki Haley touted the state having its 3rd straight year of record tourism in 2015.

More than 1,700 businesses based in South Carolina are represented each year at  Hospitality Day.