PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2024

CVB Contact: Alana Cooper
Phone: 318.387.5691
E-mail: acooper@monroe-westmonroe.org

Discover Monroe-West Monroe Celebrates National Travel and Tourism Week

Monroe-West Monroe, LA — May 19th – May 25th marks National Travel and Tourism Week, (NTTW) the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry. National Travel and Tourism Week celebrates the industry’s critical role in powering our nation’s economy, communities and connections. Together, let’s demonstrate our industry’s critical importance—in every corner of our country.

According to the U.S. Travel Association, travel is a $2.8 trillion industry that supports nearly 15 million American jobs while fueling other important industries like manufacturing, health care and agriculture—all which depend on travel to generate business, spur innovation and support education.

“Tourism Awareness Week is a time for us to remind our local community about the strong impact of tourism in Ouachita Parish,” said Alana Cooper, Discover Monroe-West Monroe President/CEO. “We look forward to growing the tourism industry in our region.”

Discover Monroe-West Monroe strives to host events that create such large economic impacts consistently throughout the year. Sporting events, conventions and meetings hosted in 2023 resulted in an estimated economic impact of $24.6 million in Ouachita Parish.

Check out the estimated economic impact from some of our largest events below.

NCHA Eastern National Championship: $1,497,173.05

Live Original Conference: 1, 165, 572. 30

Louisiana Association of Student Councils: $655,220.11

USA BMX Cajun Nationals: $447, 276.98

MLF Heavy Hitters: $431,747.14

In total, 181 meetings, conventions, and sporting events were held in 2023. It was a busy year for Monroe-West Monroe!

Established in 1983, NTTW is an annual tradition to mark the U.S. travel industry’s role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating vibrant communities, creating quality job opportunities, stimulating business activity, and elevating the quality of life for everyday Americans.

Please visit ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week or call Discover Monroe-West Monroe 318-387-5691.

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Discover Monroe-West Monroe promotes Ouachita Parish as a destination for leisure travel, conventions, meetings, and sporting events creating a positive economic impact for our local community through increased visitor spending and sales tax collections. For more information about Discover Monroe-West Monroe, visit www.monroe-westmonroe.org.