Job Numbers Show Tremendous Growth In State’s Travel Industry

Good news for Louisiana’s tourism industry. Nearly 25% of the new jobs in the state were related to tourism.

Over 6,000 new travel related jobs were created in the last 12 months, based on data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says not only is the industry creating jobs, it’s also bringing in a large portion of the state’s tax revenue.

"Last year we generated 1.04 billion dollars in state taxes that you and I didn't have to pay.  That's a 40 to 1 return on investment."

Nungesser says this is one industry that has huge growth potential in all corners of Louisiana.

"We've got a tremendous opportunity to grow that industry, create more jobs and help all the cities and towns around Louisiana that live and die by the tourism dollars in their communities."

Nungesser says tourism is ripe for employee growth and promotion within already established business. He has talked with several who have moved up the chain.

"I'm real proud of the Louisiana companies and private industry that has embraced helping train the people in the hospitality industry and really helping them grow."

The expanding tourism market has helped to decrease the state’s unemployment rate to 5-point-1-percent in September, a full percent lower from the same month in 2016.