Louisiana celebrates music & culture at Montreal Jazz Festival

As the International Montreal Jazz Festival began its 43rd edition, the Louisiana Office of Tourism set up a travel information booth in the heart of the city’s entertainment district.

Representatives from Baton Rouge, Shreveport-Bossier, Travel Avoyelles and Visit The Northshore met festival-goers last week to share information about their state’s rich culture and music.

The tourism office wants to highlight the jewels of all of Louisiana, because it must be remembered: it's not just New Orleans, and the destination’s festive spirit (typically associated with Mardi Gras) can be felt year-round.

Since the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions long ago, tourism in Louisiana has been steadily increasing, officials say.

Charles Whinham, representing Louisiana, takes pride in the fact that culture and jazz are iconic elements of the region.

He also encourages visitors to immerse themselves in Louisiana’s nature, to discover its gastronomy, and take advantage of the “joie de vivre” philosophy residents live by.

“Canadians like to discover new experiences. By targeting consumer points of interest such as adventure, food, culture, in addition to our two languages that bind us together, we are convinced that this is a destination that will charm,” he said.

Katharyn Deville, vice-president of marketing and communications for Shreveport-Bossier, also touched on the destination’s rich musical history.

“We launched Elvis’ career and we have many artists!” she said.

According to Mary Guillory of Avoyelles Commission of Tourism, spring and fall are the best seasons to visit Louisiana and take full advantage of its unique charm.

Whinham added that Canada is a top market for the destination, especially for snowbirds, or for anyone making a detour while driving to Florida.

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