Ninety-one percent of Southwest Louisiana residents say tourism is good for the area, according to Visit Lake Charles’ newly released 2026 Resident Sentiment Study.
Visit Lake Charles is sharing the findings today with community and tourism leaders during a presentation led by Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International, the firm that conducted the study. The presentation highlights changes in resident attitudes since 2024 and how Southwest Louisiana compares with regional and national benchmarks.
The study found continued strong support for tourism. Ninety percent of residents support tourism growth, 86% want to see more tourists visit the area, and 86% agree that tourism’s positive benefits outweigh its negative impacts.
“These results show that our residents recognize the value tourism brings to Southwest Louisiana and want to see Louisiana’s Playground continue to grow,” said Kyle Edmiston, president and CEO of Visit Lake Charles. “This research also gives us a clearer understanding of where we have opportunities to continue listening, engaging, and working together as a community.”
The 2026 findings also point to growing resident pride. Eighty-four percent of residents say they welcome tourists to the area, 25 percentage points higher than South and U.S. benchmarks. Additionally, 72% look forward to showing off the area when friends and family visit, up from 61% in 2024.
“The results reflect an exceptionally strong level of support for tourism among Southwest Louisiana residents,” Eylon said. “What is especially encouraging is the pride residents have in their community and their willingness to welcome visitors and share the area with others. These findings provide a strong foundation for Visit Lake Charles as it continues planning for responsible tourism growth.”
Residents also recognize tourism’s economic impact. Eighty percent agree that tourism encourages investment in the local economy; 79% say tourism is important to the local economy, and 71% believe tourism attracts new businesses to the area.
Perceptions of local tourism promotion also improved since 2024. Seventy-four percent of residents like the way local tourism advertising represents their home, up from 68% in 2024. Seventy-one percent believe tourism marketing reflects the diversity of the local area, an increase from 62% in 2024.
The findings also demonstrate residents’ support for preserving the qualities that make Southwest Louisiana distinctive while planning for future growth. Eighty-one percent agree that tourism supports the preservation of local culture and protects community authenticity, while 80% believe long-term planning can help limit tourism’s environmental impacts.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Eylon is available for interviews today about the study’s findings, changes since 2024, and Southwest Louisiana’s results compared with regional and national benchmarks. Reporters interested in scheduling an interview may contact Candy Rodriguez.
The 2026 Resident Sentiment Study surveyed 673 adults age 18 and older in Calcasieu and Cameron parishes between Feb. 24 and March 13, 2026. Results were compared with the 2024 study and regional and national benchmarks. To view the full study, click here.
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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.
