Calcasieu Parish welcomed 7.5 million visitors in 2025, an increase of 6.7% from 2023, according to the 2025 Travel USA Report from Longwoods International, a recognized authority in travel and tourism research.
Those visitors spent approximately $900 million, an increase of 12.9% from 2023. Visitor spending grew nearly twice as fast as visitation, generating greater economic impact for Southwest Louisiana and supporting hotels, restaurants, attractions, retailers, and other local businesses.
“These findings reinforce the strength and momentum of tourism in Southwest Louisiana,” said Kyle Edmiston, president and CEO of Visit Lake Charles. “What excites us most is not simply that more people are visiting, but that they’re exploring more of the destination and spending more while they’re here. That’s good news for our local businesses, our hospitality industry, and our community.”
Those tourism dollars supported businesses throughout Southwest Louisiana’s hospitality economy. Visitors spent approximately $227 million on restaurant food and beverages and $281 million on recreation and entertainment. Overnight travelers also generated approximately $174 million in lodging spending, while additional dollars flowed to retailers, transportation providers, and other businesses across the destination.
Visitation remained consistent throughout the year, with quarterly shares for travel ranging from 22% to 27%. This steady distribution reflects demand across all four seasons and reinforces Calcasieu Parish’s position as a year-round destination.
Beyond continued visitation growth, the research also found that travelers are experiencing a broader mix of what the destination has to offer. Casinos remain a major travel driver, while sightseeing increased. Fishing participation rose among visitors, and participation in cultural activities among overnight visitors increased from 28% to 36% compared with the previous study.
“It’s encouraging to see visitors embracing more of what makes Southwest Louisiana unique,” Edmiston said. “Growth in sightseeing, fishing, and cultural activities shows that our marketing is successfully introducing travelers to experiences beyond gaming. The more visitors explore, the longer they stay, the more they spend, and the greater the impact on our local economy.”
The research also found strong visitor satisfaction and loyalty. Nearly eight in 10 overnight visitors were repeat visitors, while overall trip satisfaction among overnight visitors averaged 4.4 out of 5. At the same time, 21% were first-time visitors, creating an opportunity to build lasting loyalty among new travelers.
The findings underscore tourism’s role as a powerful economic driver for Southwest Louisiana. As Visit Lake Charles continues to invest in research-driven marketing, these insights will help attract new visitors, encourage longer stays, and inspire travelers to experience more of the food, outdoors, culture, and hospitality that define Louisiana’s Playground.
For more visitor research and insights on tourism’s impact in Southwest Louisiana, visit visitlakecharles.org/alwayshere.
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About Visit Lake Charles
Visit Lake Charles, the official destination marketing organization for Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana, is the only organization in Southwest Louisiana providing advocacy, promotion, and education for the tourism industry. For more information on Visit Lake Charles and things to see and do in Louisiana’s Playground, log on to www.visitlakecharles.org.
