In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Visit Lake Charles announces the launch of its first Spanish-language podcast series, Visita Lake Charles: Las Voces de Luisiana, hosted by Candy Rodriguez, director of communications at Visit Lake Charles. 

“This podcast represents a new chapter in how we connect with visitors,” said Timothy Bush, chief marketing officer at Visit Lake Charles. “At Visit Lake Charles, we're committed to reaching people from all walks of life—regardless of languages and backgrounds. Visita Lake Charles: Las Voces de Luisiana is a prime example of our innovative approach to marketing our destination while also championing inclusivity and connection.” 

The podcast aims to connect with Spanish-speaking audiences by highlighting the unique stories of four individuals with roots in Hispanic and Latino cultures who now call Southwest Louisiana home. Each episode features a different guest: 

  • Jessica Mangione Colon, Marketing Account Executive at Telemundo Lake Charles and CBS Lake Charles 

  • Gustavo Garden, Owner of Area 337 & Encanto Daiquiris and More 

  • Dalia Matheus, Founder of the International Club of SWLA and St. Frances Cabrini Immigration Law Center 

  • Ricardo Ruvalcaba, Spanish Pastoral Assistant at the Diocese of Lake Charles  

Through their personal stories, each guest shares how their heritage and traditions blend with the region's Cajun and Creole culture—coming together in our festivals, cuisine, and community to reflect the vibrant spirit of Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana. 

“As the host of Visita Lake Charles: Las Voces de Luisiana, I'm truly honored to have the opportunity to connect with the Hispanic and Latino community in our own language,” Rodriguez said. “Being bilingual, with roots in both American and Mexican cultures, has allowed me to share Southwest Louisiana's beauty with a wider audience. Our team at Visit Lake Charles understands the importance of embracing diversity, and this special podcast series allows us to welcome a new group of travelers who can experience the joy, hospitality and culture that define our region.” 

To learn more about the podcast, visit www.visitlakecharles.org/lasvoces. Listeners can stream the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and more. Viewers can watch the podcast on our YouTube channel. We also invite you to check out our bi-weekly English-language podcast, Louisiana's Playground. 

You can download Rodriguez’s headshot 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.