Calcasieu Parish attracted 7 million visitors last year, according to new travel report

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – A new travel report is pointing to growth in Calcasieu Parish.

The 2023 Travel USA report was written by Longwoods International, a leading travel and tourism research firm.

In 2023, Calcasieu Parish welcomed seven million visitors, generating $800 million.

Overall, the number of visitors in 2023 stayed consistent with previous years, but visitor spending did increase by 3.3% compared to spending in 2021.

The report says 82% of overnight visitors had previously visited Lake Charles, and 37% of those visitors returned within 12 months of their last visit to the area.

“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, 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,” he continued.

The report showed the top visitor interests in the area are outdoor activities, dining, and shopping.

The average person is also spending more money in the area while they visit.

In 2023 the average person spent $195 per trip, compared to $184 in 2021.

Eighty-four percent of overnight travelers expressed satisfaction with their trip, highlighting the positive impact of the destination’s attractions, accommodations, and hospitality.

Copyright 2024 KPLC. All rights reserved.