Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism (LCBT) awarded five community projects $75,000 in funding today from the Tourism Investment Program fund (TIP).
The funds, generated from a portion of the room tax revenues paid by overnight visitors to Lafourche Parish lodging accommodation, will go towards, two bayou development projects, an annual antique show, field enhancement at Minor Field and the development of a theatre series at Nicholls State University.
“These five projects selected by the Tourism Investment Program Committee and approved by the LCBT Board of Directors, based on their merit to increase tourism opportunities in Lafourche Parish will add significant value to our tourism development efforts for the area,” said LCBT President and CEO Timothy P. Bush. “Collectively, these project will expand access to Bayou Lafourche recreational experiences, increase the opportunity to host more sporting events, continue to push this regional as the cultural hub of the region and support one of the fall’s most significant generators of overnight stays.”
The projects were evaluated according to the criteria established by the LCBT Board of Director. The funding will assist with the creation and development of projects that are expected to attract overnight visitors and generate spending for the local economy.
In all, the 2017 TIP cycle received a total of 11 applications for consideration, totaling more than $200,000 in requested funding. Five of the projects were presented to the LCBT Board of Directors for consideration based on their overall project strength, destination brand alignment and potential to generate overnight visitation, as well as increase economic impact within Lafourche Parish.
Since the TIP was implemented in 2016, LCBT has awarded $170,000 in grants that have supported both marketing and tourism development projects.
“Every project we received were outstanding projects. The projects selected were those that best meet the goal of the Tourism Investment Program,” said TIP Chair Zina Sampey. On behalf of the committee, I want to thank all of the applicants for their time and effort in participating in this process.”
“The way to grow tourism in Lafourche Parish is by working together through community partnerships,” said LCBT Chair Marguerite Knight Erwin. “LCBT is very excited to work with these community partners to create new and continuing experiences to attract more travelers to our destination.”
