LOUISIANA REPRESENTED AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO ATTRACT VISITORS

BATON ROUGE, La. - The Louisiana Office of Tourism (LOT) and a contingency of tourism representatives are wrapping up the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW 2025 in Chicago where they connected with travel buyers and media from more than 70 countries.

“Tourism is the fourth largest industry in the state and employs 225,000 people in Louisiana. In 2024, we saw 44.5 million visitors and an economic impact of $24.8 billion saving each household more than $1,100 in taxes,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.

“IPW is an opportunity for the LOT sales and marketing team, as well as Louisiana partners, to share all the wonderful things Louisiana has to offer including its outdoors, food, music and culture along with new attractions bringing visitors to every corner of the state,” said Assistant Secretary of Tourism Doug Bourgeois.

In 2027, New Orleans will host IPW which attracts more than 6,000 people from across the world to the host city.

“It's truly an honor to be chosen as a host city, considering IPW’s entire purpose is to showcase the United States to international buyers - meaning they believe New Orleans to be one of the best destinations in America to attract international visitors to the U.S.,” said New Orleans and Company President and CEO Walt Leger. “It speaks volumes about New Orleans and our ability to host global meetings and conventions, leisure visitors, major cultural festivals, and national sporting championships,”

As the leading inbound travel trade show, past IPWs have generated more than $5.7 billion in future travel by connecting U.S. travel exhibitors with travel buyers and media to promote their products and negotiate future business, securing America’s position as a foremost global travel destination and showcasing the best of what the U.S. has to offer.

Louisiana partners showcasing their areas include Ascension Parish Tourism Commission, Houma Area Conventions and Visitors Bureau, Houmas House Estate and Gardens, Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Lake Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau, New Orleans and Company, Visit Baton Rouge, Visit Jefferson Parish, Visit the Northshore, and Louisiana’s River Parishes.

During the event, LOT and its partners conducted 600 scheduled appointments with representatives from countries from around the world.

Attached Image Caption:

Image: The Louisiana Office of Tourism is joined by tourism partners from around the state to promote Louisiana to global travel buyers and media during the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW 2025 in Chicago.

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