BATON ROUGE – Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser returned to Louisiana Tuesday night, calling the mission to Germany and the United Kingdom a success. Nungesser, reps with the Louisiana Office of Tourism, and a delegation of 17 tourism partners traveled to Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Hannover, Germany, before heading over to London to promote the state and the ease of travel to Louisiana through new direct flights into New Orleans’ Louis Armstrong International Airport.
“The increase in the number of direct, international flights to our state is a clear signal to travelers worldwide that Louisiana continues to be great travel destinations,” said Nungesser. “This was the perfect time to capitalize on the recent success of these flights as British Airways gears up to expand to five days a week on Oct. 30 and Condor is starting to promote next season’s flights. International visitors stay longer and spend more money. With the recent 37 percent increase in international visitation and the addition of the direct flights, we want to make sure we continue that momentum.”
While in Germany, Nungesser had the opportunity to meet with Consul General James W. Herman in Frankfurt and Consul General Richard Yoneoka in Hamburg to discuss travel between Germany and Louisiana, ensuring Condor’s direct flight’s success and the influence of German culture on Louisiana. Additionally, he was a guest on radio shows in all three cities. At each stop in Germany, the delegation, along with our representatives in Germany, hosted an event for travel agents, tour operators, and media to promote Condor Airlines’ seasonal direct flight to Louisiana and their areas as desirable destinations once visitors land.
“The French and Spanish influence on Louisiana is evident in our language and architecture, but the opportunity to meet face to face with tourism leaders in Germany to showcase the German influence on Louisiana will prove valuable as we continue our mission to increase international visitation from Germany and all over the world,” said assistant secretary Kyle Edmiston.
Following the Germany leg of the mission, the delegation made its way to London. On Sunday, Oct. 1, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, in collaboration with the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau and Travel & Tourism Marketing and representatives in London, hosted a group of travel agents, tour operators and travel writers prior to kickoff of the New Orleans Saints’ victory over the Miami Dolphins in Wembley Stadium.
“Missions like these are vital to continuing the momentum we have built in placing New Orleans and Louisiana in the minds of our international visitors as travel destinations,” said Kim Priez, SVP, Tourism for the New Orleans CVB. “We look forward to continuing the cooperative relationship we have with the Louisiana Office of Tourism in marketing efforts abroad to grow our city’s and our state’s reputation as world-class destinations worldwide.”
After the game, on Monday, Oct. 2, Nungesser made appearances on 12 radio shows in London, promoting the British Airways increase in direct service to New Orleans, regional connections to Lafayette, Baton Rouge and Shreveport, and the authentic experiences for visitors to these cities and Louisiana. Additionally, the delegation met throughout the day with travel agents, tour operators, travel writers, and bloggers in a media marketplace format.
“We would like to thank the Lt. Governor for leading the delegation to Germany and London, and Lafayette was proud to be a part of the mission,” said Ben Bethelot, Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission president and CEO. “As Louisiana continues to be among the top states in international visitation growth, here in Lafayette we are seeing that growth as well. The timing of the mission couldn’t have been better with the success of the British Airways and Condor direct flights to New Orleans. The mission was a huge success and we look forward to continuing to capitalize on all of the great opportunities the state is providing us to grow international travel.”
“We are grateful for the partnership opportunity with LOT as relates to utilizing New Orleans as an international gateway for Louisiana – especially since the addition of the direct flights to Germany and London,” said Paul Arrigo, CDME, Visit Baton Rouge president and CEO. “When internationals visit, they are typically here for weeks at a time, and Baton Rouge is a natural fit for them to take a drive and stay a few days in our city.”
Joining the Lieutenant Governor, and funding their own travel for the mission, were representatives from Louisiana Tax Free Shopping, A Chateau on the Bayou Bed & Breakfast, Airboat Adventures, Hospitality Enterprises, Hotel Monteleone/Bienville House, Houmas House Plantation & Gardens, InterContinental New Orleans Hotel, Joieful Destination Experts, Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission, Limousine Livery, Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau, Louisiana’s Northshore, National WWII Museum, New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, New Orleans Plantation Country, Nottoway Plantation, and Visit Baton Rouge.
LA Lt. Gov. Nungesser meets with international dignitaries during a 10-day sales mission to Germany and the United Kingdom.
