LOUISIANA TRAVEL PULSE
Office of Tourism Update
May 1, 2017
Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser to Celebrate Record-Breaking Tourism During National Travel & Tourism Week

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is hitting the road the week of May 8-12, traveling around the state to celebrate a fifth consecutive record-breaking year for tourism in Louisiana. It’s all part of the 34th annual National Travel and Tourism week. It’s a time when communities across the country unite to celebrate what travel means to jobs, economic growth, and quality of life for citizens.

During stops on the tour, Lieutenant Governor will emphasize the economic impact tourism has on Louisiana’s economy, representing a 40-to-1 return on investment of state funding. In 2016, the state welcomed 46.7 million visitors, spending $16.8 billion dollars in our state, and generating $1.04 billion in tax revenue.

Below is a list of the Lieutenant Governor’s stops around the state:

  • Monday, May 8: St. Tammany Parish, Livingston/Tangipahoa Parishe
  • Tuesday, May 9: Lafayette Parish, Lafourche Parish, Ascension Paris
  • Wednesday, May 10: Avoyelles Parish, Rapides Parish, Sabine Paris
  • Thursday, May 11: Vernon Parish, Calcasieu Parish
Celebration of Tourism and Seafood

On the first night of National Tourism Week, Lieutenant Governor Nungesser, along with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board and the Louisiana Office of Tourism, will welcome legislators to the Pentagon Barracks for a celebration of Louisiana. The evening will be an opportunity to showcase to legislators the great seafood the state has to offer visitors and citizens alike, as well as promote the importance of tourism to our state’s economy.
Tourism Day at the Capitol a Huge Success

On Monday, April 24, Louisiana Tourism Promotion Association members filled the Capitol rotunda to showcase for legislators all the great things happening in tourism and the tremendous impact the industry has on the state’s economy. During the day, tourism professionals from around the state where honored on the floors of the House and Senate, where a resolution was read declaring the day “Tourism Day at the Capitol.” In addition to talking with legislators, everyone had a chance to share their #OnlyLouisiana experiences through a photo/video booth. Be sure to look for those images and videos on LTPA’s social media throughout National Travel and Tourism Week, May 7-13.
Assistant Secretary Kyle Edmiston Talks Tourism with Talk 107.3FM

On the heels of our fifth record-setting year for tourism in Louisiana, Assistant Secretary Kyle Edmiston joined The Clarence Buggs Show on Talk 107.3 FM in Baton Rouge to tout the numbers. Edmiston pointed to the momentum Louisiana, along with the local CVBs and Tourist Commissions, have been able to create has helped make the state an attractive destination for international and domestic visitors year after year. To hear the interview in its entirety, please click here.
Destination Louisiana Launches; Encourages Louisianians to See the State
This week, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser unveiled a new tourism initiative designed to promote in-state travel by Louisianians. The program is called Destination Louisiana. Each month, one destination in the state is chosen to receive multi-platform coverage from the Louisiana Office of Tourism (LOT). The destination will rotate between north, southwest and southeast regions of the state. The first destination featured as part of the initiative will be Iberia Parish, home to places such as Tabasco, Rip Van Winkle Gardens, and the Shadows on the Teche.

“In Louisiana, we have a lot of great places to see and things to do. With this initiative, we are encouraging people to use their passion for this state as the catalyst to staycation here,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “Too often, we may take for granted where we live. Our Destination Louisiana initiative is an opportunity to showcase all the great reasons to get out and enjoy our state’s cities, State Parks, renowned lakes and campgrounds, and historic places.”

Each destination will benefit from a full media campaign on radio, print, and online at www.louisianatravel.com.

The first six participants of Destination Louisiana include:
  • May: Iberia Parish                            
  • June: Lincoln Parish
  • July: Jefferson Parish
  • August: Cajun Coast (St. Mary Parish)
  • September: Washington Parish
  • October: Sabine Parish
Go Fish. Get Stamped. Get Swag!
Recently-launched Louisiana Bass Trail Catching On
Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, the Louisiana Office of Tourism and Louisiana Office of State Parks announce the launch of the Louisiana Bass Trail.  This initiative highlights seven lakes at eight state parks including Toledo Bend, the top bass fishing lake in the U.S. in both 2015 and 2016 by Bassmaster magazine. 

“I always like to say, you can fish anywhere but you catch fish in Louisiana,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “This Bass Trail showcases the great fishing and State Park facilities we offer to out-of-state visitors, as well as Louisiana residents who are looking to enjoy the outdoors in their own backyards."

The Louisiana Bass Trail highlights these fishing opportunities and encourages visitors to fish more than one location.  Toledo Bend Reservoir can be fished from both North Toledo Bend State Park and South Toledo Bend State Park. Additionally, six of the top 10 state record largemouth bass have been caught on Caney Lake in Jimmie Davis State Park, another stop on the Trail. Other participating State Parks include Lake Bruin, Lake D’Arbonne, Lake Bistineau, Poverty Point Reservoir and Lake Claiborne.

To participate in the Louisiana Bass Trail, pick up a Bassport at any of the participating State Parks or request one online at LouisianaBassTrail.com . Once someone has fished at least four stops, they qualify for special Louisiana Bass Trail prizes. Participants are also encouraged to capture their experiences on social media using #LABassTrail and #OnlyLouisiana. 

Entries sought for third quarter events calendar

The Louisiana Office of Tourism is producing its third-quarter calendar of events, for events happening July through September. To include an event in the printed calendar, submit event information to the online calendar via the submit event link at the bottom of LouisianaTravel.com by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9. For additional information or assistance, please contact Lynne Coxwell at lcoxwell@crt.la.gov or 225.342.2876.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
  • May 8-12: National Tourism Week
  • June 3-7: 2017 IPW, Washington, DC
  • June 28: LTPA Board Meeting, Ruston
  • July 11-14: DMAI, Montreal Quebec
  • July 16-19: Lieutenant Governor's Mission to Canada
  • August 22-25: Lt. Governor's Tourism Summit, New Orleans
  • August 26-29: ESTO, Minneapolis, MN
  • September 19: LTPA Board Meeting, Covington
  • Sept. 26-Oct. 3: Lieutenant Governor's Mission to Germany & United Kingdom
  • November 9: LACVB Meeting, TBD
  • November 27-30: Travel South International Showcase, Charleston, SC
Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism - Employment Opportunities
 
The following positions with the Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism are posted on the Civil Service LA Careers website.
  • Office of Tourism - Custodian 1
  • Office of Tourism - Tourism Information Counselor 1-2
For more information, please visit  http://www.crt.state.la.us/employment-opportunities/index . 
If you have comments or suggestions for future issues of Louisiana Travel Pulse, contact Barry Landry at blandry@crt.la.gov or Charlie Whinham at cwhinham@crt.la.gov.