Harlan Kirgan
Visitor spending was $6.8 billion in 2020 in St. Landry Parish, down from $19 billion in 2019, according to the state Office of Tourism estimates.
Herman Fuselier, St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission executive director, released a report on 2020 tourism that noted the year was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and two hurricanes.
“Coronavirus hit the travel industry hard, ending Louisiana eight-straight years of recording-breaking tourism, numbers,” Fuselier wrote.
“The St. Landry Parish Visitor Center felt the decline with 2,860 guests, down from the 6,786 in 2019. COVID-19 restrictions caused the cancellation of popular in-house events, like the monthly Zydeco Capital Jam, Jammin’ on the Bayou, a Cajun and country jam, and group tours,” Fuselier reported.
“Our tourism and marketing grants, advertising and social media campaigns were reduced as numerous festivals, events and other attractions were canceled. A few events went online and chose our award-winning, eco-friendly Visitor Center for a scenic setting,” he stated.
“We are hopeful now that we have a vaccine and some of the restrictions are starting to ease almost on a weekly basis,” he said about a recovery in visitor numbers.
There are regulars that stop at the Visitor Center on Interstate 49, but casual visitors are far and few between, he said.
Fuselier is hopeful the festivals and other events usually staged in the fall will return this year. Spring events are already being canceled, he said.
The report primarily centers on online efforts as COVID-19 drove everything from schools to concerts online.
Fuselier reported there were 72,000 website visitors with top pages included as Eunice Mardi Gras, 21.04 thousand; upcoming events, 16,905; things to do, 7,691; and homepage, 36.85 thousand.
The tourism Facebook page had 8,247 likes. Top cities are Lafayette, 12.5%; Opelousas, 10.2%; Eunice, 4.6%; Houston, 3.2%; and Port Barre, 3.1%.
The Commission spent $152,200 on marketing and promoting St. Landry Parish, while also assisting tourism industry partners with marketing and promotional projects, the report stated.
“We placed more than 130 ads, traditional and non-traditional..” the report stated.
The report states $15,000 was awarded to grant recipients, but also noted some events were canceled. The grant program was put on hold until June.
Grant recipients in 2020 are listed as St. Landry Parish Airport, cemetery tours, Crawfish Etouffee Cook-off, Louisiana Orphan Train Museum, Town of Washington and Washington Tri-centennial.
The St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission is funded by a 4% sales and use tax, which generated about $584,000 in 2019.