Louisiana Travel Promotion Association honors tourism industry with 2017 Louey Awards

During its Annual Membership Meeting last week, the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association (LTPA) announced the winners of the Louey Awards, which honor and showcase individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the Louisiana tourism industry.

“It is our privilege to honor those in Louisiana’s tourism industry who work diligently every day to showcase our great culture to the rest of the world,” said Jill Kidder, LTPA President and CEO. “Their work attracted 28.9 million visitors to Louisiana in 2015 and resulted in $11.5 billion in visitor spending, stimulating the economy of the entire state.”

The winners of the 2017 Louey Awards are as follows:

• Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (up to $499,999): Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau

• Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (budget from $500,000 - $999.999): Sabine Parish Tourist Commission

• Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (budget from $1 million and above): Visit Baton Rouge

• Tourism Campaign/Promotion of the Year: Eat Here Cenla

• Festival/Event of the Year: Alex Winter Fete

• Attraction of Year: Mcllhenny Company

• Accommodation of the Year/Full-Service Lodging: DoubleTree by Hilton, Lafayette

• Accommodation of the Year/Limited-Service Lodging: Comfort Suites, Natchitoches

• Accommodation of the Year/Bed & Breakfast: A Chateau on the Bayou

• Restaurateur of the Year: Charlie Goodson

• Campground RV/Park of the Year: Lakeview Lodge, Ferriday

• Major Event of the Year: U.S. Travel’s 2016 IPW

• Governmental Friend of Tourism: Representative Helena Moreno

• Governmental Friend of Tourism: Senator Eric LaFleur

• Will Mangham Tourism Lifetime Achievement: Michael Valentino

• Rising Star of the Year: Jonathan “JT” Taylor, Livingston Parish CVB

• Victor Profis Travel Media: Michael Stafford & Ellen Lewis Stafford