Moving Forward

Tourism spending in 2018 in St. Landry Parish grew by 10 percent over 2017, and that meant more jobs in the parish, more tax money for St. Landry communities, and more cash in the pockets of local workers.

An annual study of tourism spending in Louisiana parishes by the University of New Orleans shows that visitor spending increased from $54.37 million to $59.67 million. Tourism related jobs also grew by ten percent, meaning that earnings for businesses and workers in the hospitality industry rose from $18.59 million to $20.36 million. Tourism-related tax collections in the parish and local communities rose from $1.54 million to $2.12 million.

The increases in St. Landry mirror one in tourism activity statewide to a record 51.3 million visitors in 2018. That represents an increase of nine percent over the 47.1 million visitors in 2017. At the end of 2018, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data showed 237,000 jobs were the result of visitor spending in Louisiana, an increase of 2,600 over 1017. The statewide travel and tourism industry generated $1.9 billion in state and local taxes.

The Louisiana increase comes after Lt. Gov. Billy Nunguesser, the state’s to tourism official, unveiled a new theme for Louisiana tourism promotion, “Louisiana: Food for Your Soul.” The new branding, he said, “is meant to convey to the world that no other state can offer the incredible bounty of food, music, history, and culture that Louisiana can.”

Tourism officials here note that the new state campaign is very similar to the theme, “Gumbo for Your Soul,” that St. Landry has used for several years.

“People remain fascinated with Louisiana. St. Landry Parish is at the heart of that attraction,” Herman Fuselier, the St. Landry Parish Tourism’s Executive Director, said.

“Whether it’s gumbo, zydeco or the miracle at Grand Coteau, we have lots of food for the soul in our backyard.”

In a recent gathering in St. Landry, Nunguesser said the state tourism office is encouraging travelers, and also Louisiana residents, to visit places like the communities of St. Landry Parish that offer an experience that is not likely to be found in other places.

“We want visitors to see the unique Louisiana and what we have to offer,“ he said. The Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism (CRT) is also urging Louisiana residents to take a “stay-cation” and visit places in the state that they have not seen.

St. Landry economic development director Bill Rodier noted that parish planners have begun a collaboration to create a master plan for development of more than 600 acres near Evangeline Downs and to make the parish even more attractive to visitors.

The Central St. Landry Economic Development District is funding the study that will led to creation of a destination location centered around a “Gateway to Acadiana” theme.

He said that the I-49-U.S. 190 crossroads marks the place where “south Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole culture truly starts.” The study will provide the data to “lay out the framework for a truly unique development that everyone in our region can be proud of as a true representation of our people, culture, and history.”

Planners envision “developing a property that people from a broad geography can come to and spend several days relaxing, having fun, and learning more about our culture,” he said.

Three things to know about this story:

1. Visitor spending in St. Landry Parish increased from $54.37 million to $59.67 million.
2. Tourism-related tax collections in the parish and local communities rose from $1.54 million to $2.12 million.
3. The state tourism office is encouraging travelers, and also Louisiana residents, to visit places like the communities of St. Landry Parish.