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River Parishes Tourist Commission reports $163 million annual visitor spending, highlights events that drove hotel bookings
Summary
The River Parishes Tourist Commission presented fiscal-year highlights including a King Cat tournament that drew out-of-state anglers, economic impact estimates and several upcoming festivals.
The River Parishes Tourist Commission told the St. Charles Parish Council on Oct. 6 that visitor spending in the region exceeds $163 million annually and supports more than 2,100 jobs. Denise Burrell, executive director, presented the commission’s fiscal year highlights and a work plan for the coming year.
"Tourism is economic development," Burrell said, summarizing the commission’s message to the council. She said visitor spending supports local businesses and generates state and local tax revenue estimated at $16.6 million.
Burrell highlighted several events and partnerships that she said generated measurable hotel bookings and restaurant sales. The American Cruise Lines calls at the Vashon (Vacherie) landing brought more than 15,000 visitors to the region this year, she said. The commission relaunched a tourist investment grant program and helped fund festivals and marketing that, the commission said, increased overnight stays.
Burrell pointed to a September tournament—the King Cat Tournament Trail and King Kids Fishing Rodeo—as an example of an event that produced direct economic benefit to the parish. "The event brought in 37 boats and 95 anglers from 15 states including 31 first-time participants and 64 returning anglers," she said, adding that the accompanying King Kids rodeo offered free fishing instruction for children.
Burrell outlined initiatives planned for the next fiscal year, including a River Parishes Ambassador Program to train frontline hospitality staff, a visitor-profile study to measure visitation and spending, relaunching a regional tourism summit in 2026, site improvements to the commission’s website and a familiarization (FAM) tour for local hospitality staff. She also said the commission will host the Southern Travelers Explore Conference in February 2026 to welcome travel writers and tourism professionals to the region.
Burrell asked for continued partnership with St. Charles Parish government and local chambers. The commission’s presentation emphasized marketing cooperation with the Louisiana Office of Lieutenant Governor and other regional partners and listed subbrands such as New Orleans Plantation Country and New Orleans Swamp Country.
The council did not take action on the presentation. Burrell closed by thanking the council and parish president for continued partnership. "Tourism creates jobs, generates tax funds and enhances the quality of life of our residents," she said.
