Destinations across the country are celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week (NTTW), May 7-13, to shine a spotlight on the power of the travel industry and how it impacts economies through leisure, business, and group travel. In addition to honoring outstanding employees in the hospitality sector, this NTTW, Visit Lake Charles is launching a new campaign to promote Louisiana’s Playground called “As Much Joy As You Can Pack In” in Austin, Tex., May 6-7. The goal of the campaign launch in Austin is to generate more awareness and interest through interacting with Austinites, Austin media, and social media influencers.
The new campaign focuses on key brand pillars of gaming, luxury, outdoors, arts, music, and food, while reminding travelers that Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana is a place where visitors can find “joy” in the diversity of experiences in Louisiana’s Playground. As Austin is one of Lake Charles’ top emerging markets, Visit Lake Charles identified the Pecan St. Festival as a prime location to launch the campaign. Representing Louisiana’s Playground at the festival is 4-time Grammy nominated artist Sean Ardoin who will headline the event on Saturday night. Also, Executive Chef Stephen Coblentz of Golden Nugget’s Chart House is preparing Cajun shrimp and grits, and there are interactive challenges with a chance to win vacation getaways by participating in a Luggage Stacking Challenge and a Pack the Mini Cooper Challenge.
Nationwide, the travel industry has a profound economic impact on the United States. The U.S. travel industry generated $2.6 trillion in total economic impact. The industry supports nearly 20 million American jobs, and in Louisiana, that number was more than 222,000 in Louisiana at the end of 2022. This year marks the 40th anniversary of NTTW, and the U.S. Travel Association is focusing on demonstrating how integral travel is to every industry and nearly everything Americans do. With the theme of #TravelForward, the association is underscoring that travel is essential to create a future of growth and innovation.
“NTTW is a time to celebrate those in the hospitality industry and discuss the huge economic impact that tourism has on the local economy. As Southwest Louisiana has returned to its vast array of fairs, festivals, sporting events, meetings, and conventions, we are so appreciative of all those that serve our visitors. We are also looking forward to launching the new campaign with the goal of inspiring even more travel to Louisiana’s Playground this year,” said Kyle Edmiston, President/CEO of Visit Lake Charles.
With the launch of the new “As Much Joy As You Can Pack In” campaign, Visit Lake Charles is celebrating the Joy of Travel during NTTW in addition to #TravelForward. Follow along on Visit Lake Charles’ social media channels to see videos of locals who showcase how to find joy in Louisiana’s Playground through music, arts and culture, luxury travel, culinary traditions, and spending time in the great outdoors.
To see elements of the new campaign and learn about National Travel & Tourism Week, go to www.visitlakecharles.org/NTTW.
###
