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LaPolitics: Is Louisiana tourism fully recovered from the pandemic?
Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser: Prior to the pandemic, Louisiana enjoyed record-breaking visitation five years in a row, topping out in 2019 with over 53 million visitors coming to our state. In 2023, 43 million domestic and international visitors came to Louisiana. This included a nearly 17% increase in international visitors. International visitation was not predicted to fully recover until 2025, according to the U.S. Travel Association, so this significant increase is an encouraging statistic for Louisiana.
Where do you see the potential for tourism growth?
We’re reaching into new international emerging markets such as Spain, Italy and India. Through a federal grant, Louisiana now has in-market representation in these three countries. We’re particularly excited about the potential in the Indian market, where there is a huge enthusiasm for travel and unique, experiential and authentic destinations like Louisiana. We’ll be visiting India this fall with some of our local partners to further promote the state.
How will your office take full advantage of the opportunities that hosting the Super Bowl provides?
There’s a great opportunity to encourage visitors to the state to not only explore New Orleans but stay and see more of the state by driving just an hour or two to visit the Northshore, Baton Rouge or Lafayette. Even more so, we have an opportunity to put Louisiana front and center with the media. This is also a great chance to shine a light on sports tourism in Louisiana. Our office is focused on attracting sporting events from little league tournaments to Olympic trials to our state.
You have said the Super Bowl could give a “black eye” to the state if New Orleans isn’t “cleaned up.” Do you feel that your concerns are being addressed?
I’ve said for a long time that the minute we knew the Super Bowl was coming to New Orleans, that we should have started preparing right away. We have taken on many of the problems like cleanliness, street and sidewalk repairs, and homelessness, but with just over five months left, we are a long way from finished. I’m just afraid that we waited too long to get things done.
LED Secretary Susan Bourgeois recently said that the fun aspects of Louisiana culture that tourism officials promote can undermine LED’s message of Louisiana as a serious place to do business.
Do you think there are ways the two departments’ messages could be more aligned?
While the celebratory nature of Louisiana is certainly part of our message, we work hard to make sure visitors know that Louisiana is for everyone. Tourism promotion helps to instill a sense of community pride in residents, which can also play a hand in attracting top workforce and talent to the state. This spring we joined with the entertainment division of LED to promote film in Louisiana. I will work with Secretary Bourgeois and Gov. Landry in any way that I can to ensure that our messages do not conflict.
You flirted with a run for governor last year. Will you consider running for the office in the future?
I only want what’s best for our people, but I have to be clear: I will not run against our governor. Any other gubernatorial election is too far off to think about.
—THEY SAID IT: “Mr. Cantore, don’t even think about coming here.” —A digital sign on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, referencing Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel.
Jeremy Alford publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com. Follow him on Twitter, or Facebook. He can be reached at JJA@LaPolitics.com.
