PRESS RELEASE
April 21, 2014

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Brittany Racca

(337) 365-1540

(888) 942-3742

celine@iberiatravel.com

iberiatravel.com

Iberia Parish Convention

and Visitors Bureau

Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne to visit

Iberia for National Tourism Week

NEW IBERIA, La. --- The Iberia Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau will celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week May 3-11, 2014.

The first full week of May is annually recognized as National Travel and Tourism Week, a tradition first celebrated in 1984, and established by a congressional joint resolution passed in 1983. Each year, localized events are presented in cities, states and travel businesses nationwide to champion the power of travel, and generate tremendous exposure for all the good that travel inspires.

"In 2012 visitors spent $43.3 million in Iberia Parish and contributed $1.9 million and $780,000, respectively, to state and local coffers," said Fran Thibodeaux, executive director of the Iberia Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"Despite natural disasters, man-made disasters and economic fluctuations, tourism continues on a steady growth pattern in Iberia Parish, with local parish occupancy tax collections doubling in the last decade. As the economy and our tourism assets continue to expand, we expect to maintain this positive cycle of growth."

Thibodeaux and IPCVB Assistant Director of Communications Céline Alis invite all Iberia Parish tourism partners to join them in the booth for Iberia Parish Day on Wed. May 7, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Atchafalaya Welcome Center. The booth will have information on Iberia Parish and its numerous attractions, restaurants, accommodations and events. Please contact IPCVB to reserve your spot.

There will also be giveaways where attendees have the chance to win prizes. Everyone from partners to the public is invited to stop in and celebrate Iberia Parish Day. The Atchafalaya Welcome Center is located off I-10 at 1908 Atchafalaya River Hwy. in Breaux Bridge.

A "Becoming New Iberia" interpretive kiosk will be unveiled Thurs. May 8 at 10 a.m. at the New Iberia City Hall plaza in front of the fountain. All kiosks were funded through a British Petroleum (BP) grant received by the IPCVB. Other newly installed kiosks located at Shadows-on-the-Teche, Bayou Teche Museum and the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany will also be recognized. The public is invited to attend the official unveiling ceremony.

On Fri. May 9, Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne will stop at New Iberia's TABASCOŽ/McIlhenny on Avery Island at 1 p.m. for a press conference. He will discuss the importance of tourism in the economy and local communities.

McIlhenny Vice President of Administrations Cecil Hymel will also speak during the press conference along with local elected officials.

The Iberia Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official parish marketing agency promoting New Iberia, Avery Island, Jefferson Island, Jeanerette, Loreauville and Delcambre as a destination. Marketing programs target leisure travelers, business travelers, media, entertainment industry, and the travel trade including group tour planners, meeting planners, sports planners and special event planners. The bureau operates a parish welcome center located at 2513 Hwy. 14 in New Iberia.

For more information on parish events and tourism assets, call the Iberia Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau at 337-365-1540 or visit www.iberiatravel.com

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