FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2026
Visit Shreveport-Bossier, Media Contact: Emma Boone
Email: eboone@visitshreveportbossier.org
Brand USA Media Contact: Chris Heywood
Email: cheywood@thebrandusa.com
Visit Shreveport-Bossier Participates in Brand USA Destination Immersion,
Showcasing Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana to International Travel Trade
Immersive trip developed in partnership with Brand USA, Explore Louisiana, and Visit Shreveport-Bossier brings 12 tour operators from the UK and Ireland to experience the culture, attractions, and hospitality of Northwest Louisiana firsthand.
Shreveport-Bossier, LA — Visit Shreveport-Bossier participated in a recent Brand USA Destination Immersion with the support of Explore Louisiana, Atlantic Joint Business Carriers, American Airlines, British Airways and Aer Lingus. The program gives international travel advisors firsthand experience in destinations across the United States, helping convert global travel interest into future visitation and economic impact for local communities. This year’s program brought together a select group of highly qualified travel advisors from the United Kingdom and Ireland, competitively chosen based on their proven success in selling travel to the USA.
“Brand USA Destination Immersions are high-impact programs that showcase the range of travel experiences available across the United States while delivering measurable economic benefit to communities nationwide,” said Fred Dixon, President & CEO of Brand USA. “By experiencing destinations firsthand, travel advisors gain the insight needed to translate interest into bookings, helping drive visitation, increase traveler spend, and generate new economic activity across U.S. communities. These programs play a critical role in strengthening local economies by supporting jobs, small businesses, and broader community investment. Our collaboration with partners like Visit Shreveport-Bossier is essential to ensuring these experiences are both authentic and globally competitive.”
Tourism continues to play a major role in Louisiana’s economy. In 2024, the state welcomed 400,000 international visitors who generated $252.9 million in visitor spending. More broadly, Louisiana’s travel and tourism industry generated $15.5 billion in spending and supported 107,600 hospitality jobs statewide in 2025.
From legendary music history and authentic Louisiana cuisine to riverfront entertainment and family-friendly attractions, Shreveport-Bossier offers international travelers a chance to experience a different side of Louisiana beyond the traditional tourism gateways.
“International travelers are increasingly looking for destinations that offer authentic culture, rich history, and experiences they can’t find anywhere else, which makes the U.K. and Ireland incredibly important markets for Louisiana,” said Stacy Brown, President & CEO of Visit Shreveport-Bossier. “Through this Brand USA Destination Immersion, tour operators were able to experience the musical legacy of the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, the bold flavors of Marilynn’s Place, hands-on attractions like Sci-Port Discovery Center and the Shreveport Aquarium, and the entertainment and nightlife found throughout our community. Partnerships like Brand USA help introduce international travelers to destinations like Shreveport-Bossier, driving future visitation and economic impact that supports local businesses, hospitality jobs, and continued investment in our tourism industry.”
Programs like Destination Immersions are an important part of Brand USA’s efforts to connect international travel advisors with destinations across the country. With 25% of global travelers still booking through travel agencies, building relationships with top-performing tour operators helps drive future international visitation and long-term economic impact for local communities. These programs also help introduce travelers to destinations beyond the places they already know, creating greater visibility and opportunity for communities across the United States.
For more information about Brand USA’s programs and partnership opportunities, visit TheBrandUSA.com. To learn more about Visit Shreveport-Bossier visit www.VisitShreveportBossier.org.
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About Visit Shreveport-Bossier
Visit Shreveport-Bossier is the official destination marketing organization for Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana. The organization promotes the Caddo & Bossier Parishes as a premier destination for leisure travel, meetings, and events—driving economic growth and supporting local businesses. For more information, visit www.VisitShreveportBossier.org.
About Brand USA
Brand USA is the nation’s destination marketing organization, dedicated to attracting legitimate international inbound travel to strengthen the U.S. economy, increase exports, create quality jobs, and promote community prosperity. By running data-driven campaigns and unifying messaging across industry and government, Brand USA positions the United States as a top global destination while providing current visa and entry information.
Since 2013, Brand USA efforts have generated 11.3 million additional international visitors who spent $38.1 billion in communities across the United States, producing $82.9 billion in total economic impact and sustaining more than 40,000 jobs annually. These results generated nearly $11 billion in additional tax revenue at the federal, state, and local levels.
