With Indian arrivals to the U.S. on the rise, Louisiana is pulling out all the stops to win over these tourists. Think Cajun-meets-Asian vibes. Now, that’s a mashup!
A destination resilience assessment survey for U.S. tourism boards is launching this summer — just as visitors return and as tourism leaders continue to examine how they can build back stronger before the next crisis hits.
Many destinations in the South lean heavily on plantations to attract events and tour groups, but the tide is slowly turning. Many people would now rather pursue truth and reconciliation instead of romanticizing the places where slavery took place.
Historically, tourism in the Deep South steered clear of discussing slavery and Jim Crow, instead leaning on less contentious topics like country music and antebellum architecture. But now, civil rights museums are becoming an important part of the South's tourism landscape, even if many state tourism boards haven't gotten on the bandwagon.
Louisiana timed the new campaign just as its two major events for 2013 came to an end in an attempt to keep the momentum going and incoming visitor numbers rolling.