Visit Lake Charles- Louisiana's Playground

Congratulations to Kyle Edmiston, CDME, CDTP, his team at Visit Lake Charles- Louisiana's Playground, and all of their travel industry partners on a great year! (Our Longwoods International visitor research is cited in the story!) #travel https://lnkd.in/eYnYiq74

Calcasieu Parish Welcomed 7 Million Visitors in 2023👇 Visit Lake Charles announced positive results from the 2023 Travel USA Report, underscoring the destination’s continued growth and appeal. The study, conducted by Longwoods International, a leading travel and tourism research firm, provides invaluable insights into visitor behavior, spending patterns, and overall visitor satisfaction.  Calcasieu Parish welcomed seven million visitors in 2023, generating $800 million in total spending. This is particularly noteworthy given the economic challenges and industry fluctuations, in addition to the parish currently operating with over 1,000 fewer hotel rooms compared to pre-Hurricane Laura levels. While overall visitation numbers remained consistent with previous years, visitor spending increased by 3.3% compared to 2021, a positive reflection on the region’s ongoing appeal to travelers.  A key takeaway from the data is the high level of repeat visitation, with 82% of overnight visitors having previously visited Lake Charles, and 37% returning within the past 12 months. This indicates a strong loyalty to the destination and satisfaction with the travel experiences offered.  "These numbers clearly reinforce our community’s staying power as a quality destination that visitors continue to find tremendous value in visiting", said Kyle Edmiston, CDME, CDTP, President and CEO of Visit Lake Charles. “As a community, we cannot take for granted that travelers choose to return to our region time after time to experience the culture, cuisine, and attractions that make our area one-of-a-kind. As we do with all our research data, we will use the information to continue to make data-driven decisions when it comes to our marketing strategies to keep our destination at the forefront of visitor markets to drive awareness, increase visitation and spending.”  The report also revealed that outdoor activities, dining, and shopping are among the top visitor interests. Additionally, the average per person per trip expenditure increased from $184 in 2021 to $195 in 2023.  Lake Charles has successfully navigated industry challenges, maintaining a steady business travel market, while many other destinations experienced declines. This stability reinforces the area's resiliency as a versatile destination for both leisure and business travelers. Moreover, 84% of overnight travelers expressed satisfaction with their trip, highlighting the positive impact of the destination's attractions, accommodations, and hospitality. #VisitLakeCharles #LouisianasPlayground https://lnkd.in/gYy7_7Mx

We are proud to celebrate Eric Zartler, CDME, STS, TMP, Sr. Vice President of Sports at Visit Lake Charles, for his remarkable 30 years of dedication to the Tournament of the Stars! 🏀⛳ Eric began his journey with the organization three decades ago as a referee and has since played a pivotal role in supporting their mission. This weekend, at the 30th Anniversary Gala at the Golden Nugget Lake Charles, Eric was honored for his unwavering commitment to community engagement, athletic excellence, and philanthropy. The Tournament of the Stars has been a beacon for youth development through sports and education, awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships to students throughout Calcasieu Parish. These efforts directly benefit the McReynolds Scholarship Foundation, ensuring that every high school in the parish is supported. We're incredibly proud to have Eric as part of our team, and we're grateful for his tireless efforts in making Lake Charles a premier sports destination. Congrats, EZ! 🎉 #VisitLakeCharles #LouisianasPlayground #YouthSports

Our team is excited to be attending LegisGator 2024 today at the L'auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles. 🐊 This prestigious event brings together over 900 elected officials and business leaders from across Louisiana to discuss and highlight pro-business governmental policy issues. We look forward to engaging with key stakeholders and contributing to the conversation on how Visit Lake Charles can further enhance the quality of life and economic impact in Southwest Louisiana. #VisitLakeCharles #LegisGator2024 #EconomicDevelopment

A big thank you to Maryam Kari for including Visit Lake Charles- Louisiana's Playground in the discussion on how DMOs can effectively boost brand awareness through influencer marketing: https://bit.ly/4fFmscK Key takeaways: 🎯 Target the right audience 📄 Establish clear agreements 🎨 Leverage influencer content creatively Check out the full article on Destinations International's blog to learn more about maximizing the impact of influencer partnerships! #InfluencerMarketing #VisitLakeCharles #DestinationsInternational

TUNE IN: Episode 50 of Louisiana’s Playground Podcast is LIVE!🎙️ Guest Timothy P. Bush, CDME, TMP, CDTP, the Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Lake Charles, joins hosts Brady Renard and Jillian Corder on Louisiana’s Playground to participate in the show’s first-ever weekend draft. The trio will take turns picking activities and restaurants to enjoy in their ideal Southwest Louisiana fall weekend. 🍂 During the Envie Eats segment, Brady and Jillian visit Bodega Wine Dive!🍷 Bodega Wine Dive is a charming Lake Charles spot where wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike can unwind and savor. Immerse yourself in a cozy atmosphere as you explore a carefully curated selection of wines from around the globe. Complement your wine experience with a delicious menu featuring authentic New York-style Italian cuisine, wood-fired pizzas, charcuterie boards and sweet treats. 🎧Listen here https://lnkd.in/g4WAweAv or anywhere you get your podcasts. Keep up with co-hosts Brady on Twitter @RenardSports & Jillian on Facebook @JillianCorderKPLC. #LouisianasPlayground #EnvieEats #Podcast #VisitLakeCharles #ExploreLouisiana #LouisianaTravel

Visit Lake Charles is thrilled to have attended the U.S. Travel Association’s Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) in Columbus, Ohio! ESTO is the leading annual learning and knowledge-sharing forum for destination marketing professionals, featuring three days of dynamic, hands-on learning and content curated by industry peers. We are proud to have been finalists in the "Digital & Social Campaign" category for our "As Much Joy As You Can Pack In" campaign, highlighting our creative approach to showcasing the unique experiences Lake Charles offers. Our CMO, Timothy P. Bush, CDME, TMP, CDTP, lead the Peer Open Forum: Marketing & Advertising session alongside Brandy Evans, MBA, CDME, providing valuable insights into the evolving world of tourism marketing. Our President/CEO, Kyle Edmiston, CDME, CDTP, was a panelist for "Coopetition: Creating Synergy Across Destination and State Partners" with industry leaders Staci Mellman (Brand USA) and Mike Mangeot (Kentucky Department of Tourism). Their discussion emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation in enhancing the tourism experience. Thank you to all our peers and partners at ESTO 2024 for an incredible experience. We’re excited to bring new ideas and strategies back to Lake Charles & Southwest Louisiana to continue promoting our destination. #VisitLakeCharles #ESTO24 #TourismMarketing #DestinationMarketing

It’s Destination Day at U.S. Travel Association #ESTO24 with my fellow Visit Lake Charles- Louisiana's Playground team Kathryn Shea Duncan, MBA, PDM and Timothy P. Bush, CDME, TMP, CDTP

It’s Destination Day at U.S. Travel Association #ESTO24 with my fellow Visit Lake Charles- Louisiana's Playground team Kathryn Shea Duncan, MBA, PDM and Timothy P. Bush, CDME, TMP, CDTP

Visit Lake Charles is honored to be one of U.S. Travel Association’s #ESTO24 Awards finalists in the "Digital & Social Campaign" category for the "As Much Joy As You Can Pack In" campaign. ✨   The Destiny and Mercury Awards recognize destinations and state tourism offices for excellence and creative accomplishment in destination marketing.    We are looking forward to celebrating with the rest of this year’s best and brightest marketing visionaries at the Awards Dinner and Presentation on Tuesday, August 13.    Kyle Edmiston, CDME, CDTP, Timothy P. Bush, CDME, TMP, CDTP, and Kathryn Shea Duncan, MBA, PDM will be representing #VisitLakeCharles at ESTO in Columbus, Ohio from August 11-13: https://lnkd.in/eEKapNhv   #LouisianasPlayground #ESTO