Welcoming approximately 45 million visitors in 2023, Louisiana launched its inaugural mission in India, recognizing the country as one of its top five source markets for tourism.
The Louisiana Office of Tourism, the official tourism promotional agency for the state of Louisiana, USA, organized its first mission to India from September 23 to 27, 2024 in Mumbai and New Delhi. The objective of this mission was to increase destination awareness amongst the travel and media on the diverse range of tourism offerings available for potential Indian visitors. The mission was led by Billy Nungesser, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana state, and Doug Bourgeois, Assistant Secretary of Tourism, Louisiana Office of Tourism, along with Louisiana’s partners Visit Lake Charles, New Orleans & Company, and Mississippi River Country.
Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser remarked, “We have consistently set tourism records. In 2019, Louisiana attracted 53 million visitors, a number we take great pride in.” He highlighted that 2019 marked their fifth consecutive year of record-breaking tourism. “Last year, we saw around 45 million visitors, putting us on the verge of another record. When tracking visitation recovery, we are significantly ahead of our competitor states.”
Doug Bourgeois, Assistant Secretary of Tourism, Louisiana Office of Tourism, supported Nungesser’s comments, stating, “Our objective is to return to our 2019 numbers. We’ve already surpassed that in terms of international travelers. Last year, international travel increased by 15% compared to 2019, which is substantial. While domestic travel was down, international travel was up, indicating growing interest in Louisiana abroad. We’re now focusing on making more investments and increasing spending in various markets.”
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Visitor numbers from India to the USA continue to set new records. After the rapid recovery in visitor arrivals in 2023, exceeding pre-pandemic numbers, there has been an impressive growth of 35% in arrivals to the USA between January- July 2024, making India the second-largest overseas market for the USA. Louisiana, with its cultural experiences, unique local cuisines, music & entertainment, outdoors, and vibrant festivals, is a perfect extension for Indians planning a holiday in the US.
Supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce under the Market Development Cooperator Program, the expansion to the India market includes collaboration with U.S. Commercial Services and the U.S. Embassy as part of the International Travel Office’s efforts.
Louisiana is conveniently located in the Southeastern region of the United States and is easily accessible from major gateway cities of New York, Newark, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta, making it a great addition to any USA itinerary. The primary gateway to Louisiana by air is New Orleans, with its newly renovated Louis Armstrong International Airport, facilitating easy access from all important Indian outbound cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai.
In 2024, Louisiana is celebrating the “Year of Music,” highlighting its rich musical heritage as the birthplace of Jazz, Cajun, and Zydeco forms of music. This campaign aims to attract visitors from around the world by showcasing the state’s vibrant and unique musical legacy.
“We’re very excited to have continued our work in India,” said Doug Bourgeois, Assistant Secretary of Tourism, Louisiana Office of Tourism. “The Indian traveler is looking for the kind of authentic experiences, amazing music and delicious food that Louisiana is known for. We can’t wait to welcome even more visitors from India to our great state.”
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