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Visit Shreveport‑Bossier reports growth in visitation and $933 million in visitor spending for 2024
Summary
Visit Shreveport‑Bossier told the council that domestic visitation to Caddo and Bossier parishes totaled about 9.7 million last year, generating approximately $933 million in spending; staff also described Destination 318, workforce initiatives and film‑industry outreach.
Stacy Brown, executive director of Visit Shreveport‑Bossier, briefed the council on tourism metrics and initiatives, saying the region recorded about 9,700,000 domestic visitors in the cited year, including a little over 4,000,000 overnight visitors, who spent roughly $933,000,000 in Caddo and Bossier parishes in 2024.
Brown said hotel market metrics were stronger locally than nationally in 2025, with occupancy up about 1.8% and demand (rooms sold) up about 3% compared with a slight national decline. She described the Destination 318 tourism business challenge — a pitch competition that awarded $100,000 in prize money and helped launch several new or expanded enterprises — and outlined efforts on gateway signage, blight reduction, wayfinding, workforce development partnerships and film recruitment. Brown noted the hotel occupancy tax is levied regionally and that a 1.5% tax is split between Shreveport and Bossier (0.75% each).
Councilmembers asked about safety and logistics for the upcoming Independence Bowl and whether the bureau can break hotel occupancy down by city; Brown said Smith Travel Research does not provide a city‑level split but that tax data can be provided separately. Brown emphasized destination development staffing and collaboration with partners including Keep Bossier Beautiful and Shreveport Green.
What happens next: The council accepted the briefing; staff and council will coordinate on public‑safety and transportation planning for large events such as the Independence Bowl.
