Louisiana talks travel with Canadian trade

Representatives of Louisiana’s tourism industry headed north this week to meet with the Canadian travel trade, showcasing what’s new in the bayou and beyond for 2016.

Thirty Louisiana travel partners representing the state’s many travel draws met with the trade in Toronto during lunch and dinner events; the delegation heads to Vancouver next to meet with agents and tour operators in Western Canada.

In a one-on-one interview with PAX, Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser outlined the Pelican State’s travel draws and relationship with Canada, which remains its top international tourist market. According to Nungesser, Canadians make up approximately 40 per cent of Louisiana’s arrivals, drawn by common links such as a shared French heritage and hospitable personality.

“We pride ourselves on our people – it’s contagious across Louisiana,” Nungesser said, adding that the state’s residents are “our best salespeople.

“We’ve found that Canadians are a lot like Louisiana – it’s not uncommon to get a friendly hello on the street here.”

While the state’s events and culture – most notably happenings such as Mardi Gras, the deep connection to jazz and Cajun cooking – are among the most obvious examples of Louisiana’s tourist draws, there’s plenty more to be discovered in the state, from its preserved plantation houses to Louisiana’s growing reputation as a destination for wine and beer enthusiasts. Nungesser added that on Avery Island, where the McIlhenny family created and still produces Tabasco sauce, a $5.5 million renovation to the factory and museum has enhanced tours with an improved viewing area for guests. Other travel draws include Poverty Point, an ancient native site which was recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status, Nungesser said.

Louisiana will also host IPW 2016 in June and Nungesser promises the travel industry that the state will provide an unforgettable experience.

“We’re really pumped about it,” Nungesser said. “This is a personal project to the team working on it and with the utmost confidence, we’ll knock it out of the park!”

PHOTO: Kyle Edmiston, assistant secretary, Louisiana Office of Tourism; Joanne Scalamogna, Canadian representative, Louisiana Office of Tourism; Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.