Gate 7 has been appointed as the Australia and New Zealand rep for Explore Louisiana covering all regions, including Alexandria, Lafayette, Shreveport and Baton Rouge, and hot on the heels of its appointment at the local rep for New Orleans & Company.
The new partnership will see the company promote all regions of the state in the Australian and New Zealand markets across trade, public relations, and social media.
The move comes as stats show the US state welcomed 27,500 visitors from Australia in 2023, making it the state’s third-largest international market.
That contributed US$62.1 million in spending, with Australians having the highest average spend per visitor among international markets. Come 2025, Tourism Economics estimates that to rise to 40,000 Australian visitors and US$87 million in spending.
New Zealand also continues to be a key priority, with Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and members of the state’s tourism office visiting Aotearoa last year to promote international travel through meetings with media, sales representatives, and tour operators.
Gate 7 Founder & Managing Director Jo Palmer said: “We couldn’t be more excited to join forces with a state where history, culture and Southern hospitality converge in a truly remarkable way.”
“Visitors from both Australia and New Zealand continue to prioritise travel, and as the numbers show, Louisiana is a must-see destination for them. We’re also thrilled to broaden our work with the state, diving into trade, PR, and social media as we continue to evolve and deliver creative, integrated marketing programs for our clients.”
Louisiana Office of Tourism Assistant Secretary Doug Bourgeois said: “We are so excited to showcase the vibrancy and charm of each diverse region throughout the state, each with a bounty of unique cultural, culinary, and social offerings.”
“We were thrilled with our visit to New Zealand last year, and with Australian visitation to the USA’s South at an all-time high, Louisiana is obviously such a hot-to-visit destination for both markets.”
This year marks the ‘Year of Music’ in the state and visitors can expect a series of music festivals and events showcasing the region’s vibrant music.
In late September, Shreveport will kick off the Red River Revel festival, featuring top national and regional performers, while the BBQ, Bourbon & Blues Festival, Arcadia Music Fest and the Baldwin Mardi Gras Parade, will all celebrate the region as the birthplace of jazz, Cajun and zydeco music.
For more information, visit Explore Louisiana and Gate 7.
