The first official British Airways flight from London’s Heathrow Airport to Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans touched down just before 7 p.m. on Monday, March 27, marking the start of the new, nonstop service between the cities. At a news conference in front of local dignitaries, business leaders, and departing travelers, British Airways signaled its confidence in the service by announcing an increase from four to five days a week starting October 30, 2017.

The flight was met by Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser who said, “This first landing of a British Airways direct flight from London to New Orleans is a clear signal to travelers worldwide that New Orleans and Louisiana continue to be great travel destinations. While the number of British travelers to Louisiana has seen a steady increase, it is expected to increase even more with the addition of this direct, year-round service. Our goal is to utilize this and other partnerships to see the number of international visitors to our state continue to rise as we market Louisiana as an exciting destination for international visitors to experience and explore.”

The number of British travelers to Louisiana has seen a steady increase which is anticipated to grow further with the addition of this nonstop service to New Orleans. The United Kingdom is the second largest source of international visitors to Louisiana. A direct service to Louis Armstrong International Airport opens up possibilities, such as:

• Increased touring within Louisiana through both fly-drive trips and escorted touring holidays;
• Increased cruising out of the Port of New Orleans for the British cruise market;
• Increased educational tourism by schools and universities;
• Increased year-round visitation; and,
• Increased incentives for businesses. 
  

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According to the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office, international travelers to the U.S. spent nearly $20.8 billion, an increase of 0.9 percent from January 2016, the strongest January on record for tourism spending. The average international traveler spend about $672 per day.

The National Travel & Tourism Office measures international visitor spending in U.S. dollars and spending totals for some markets could be higher depending on currency conversions. Travelers could also be shifting spending to other expenses, such as retail, that isn’t included in the data.

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Emmy award winning television producer and broadcaster Charlie Whinham is the newest member of the Louisiana Office of Tourism Communications Team. Whinham joined LOT in March. Whinham comes from Louisiana Public Broadcasting after nearly fifteen years working for the statewide public television network as host and producer of LPB’s weekly news program “Louisiana: The State We’re In”. He has also produced more than twenty documentaries highlighting the state’s history, culture, iconic figures and locations.

The Suncoast Chapter of the National Television Arts and Sciences recognized Whinham in 2016 with an Emmy on his story about the 25th Anniversary of the movie Steel Magnolias filmed mostly in Natchitoches. In 2010, his documentary Lost Louisiana: Places of Worship also earned an Emmy.

He is married to Kris Kimball, who works across the country as a Tour Guide for several national travel/tourism companies.