NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Louisiana Office of Tourism continue to promote travel from the South American tourism market through international trade shows, and sales missions. Recently, Maria Manzella, Director of Tourism at the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau joined Mike Prejean of the Louisiana Office of Tourism and Travel South International group in Sao Paolo, Brazil to attend the World Travel Market Latin America tradeshow, from April 3-5.
During the fourth annual World Travel Market Latin America event, Manzella met with 24 Brazilian and Latin American tour operators, as well as representatives from Delta, American and Copa Airlines to promote travel to New Orleans. In addition to the trade show appointments, the delegation hosted a press conference and welcomed an audience of 38 members of the Brazilian media showcasing the Southern states region. The three-day schedule included a visit to tour operators with a presentation to sales staff highlighting New Orleans and Louisiana attractions; and a reception hosted at the Travel South USA booth during the show.
“Our team has identified the Latin American region as a key market for increasing international travel to New Orleans,” said Kim Priez, senior vice president of tourism at the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We are confident that our missions will help more destinations in the Latin American market connect to New Orleans and will continue to make our city a favorite U.S. destination among international travelers.”
“In 2015, Louisiana and New Orleans both outpaced the nation for an increase in international visitors, representing a 37 percent increase in New Orleans and a 36 percent increase statewide,” said Assistant Secretary of Tourism Kyle Edmiston. “Through our partnership with Travel South, we have the opportunity to promote Louisiana and New Orleans to a broader base of international travelers, showcasing all that the state has to offer to the thousands of tour operators and travel industry professionals in attendance. Our representation at these events proves beneficial throughout the year.”
The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau participates in numerous international sales missions each year, all targeting markets with the highest potential of growth and visitations, reps said. World Travel Market Latin America is one of the leading trade events with over 5,000 travel trade buyers and 500 press visitors annually.
The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOCVB) is a nationally accredited, 1,100-member destination marketing organization and the largest and most successful private economic development corporation in Louisiana, reps said. The CVB and its members influence thousands of decision-makers and millions of visitors to choose New Orleans through direct sales, marketing, public relations, branding and visitor services at its New Orleans headquarters and offices in Chicago, Illinois; Louisville, Kentucky; Washington, D.C.; the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Brazil and China. Consistently recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the country, the New Orleans CVB celebrates its 57th anniversary in 2017.
