In the tourism and hospitality industry, marketing is important because it helps bring visitors to our area, which in turn not only benefits our local businesses but our residents as well. Did you know that if were not for the state and local taxes paid by tourists visiting St. Tammany, each family residing here would have to pay an additional $1,000 a year in taxes to maintain our current services?
Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser shared this fact at a recent Chamber luncheon, sponsored by the St. Tammany Parish Tourist and Convention Commission (STPTCC) and the Southern Hotel, in celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week. The luncheon welcomed nearly one hundred business leaders from across the region, and Nungesser, as well as STPTCC President and CEO Donna O’Daniels, spoke of the many programs that are underway to bring more visitors to our state and parish.
Tourism stimulates economic growth, creates jobs, and elevates our quality of life. We have 2.9 million visitors to our parish annually, which equates to $1.02 billion in annual visitor spending, helping to maintain over 13,000 jobs. We applaud the efforts of our state and parish leaders to continue moving the Louisiana Northshore forward!