Visit Shreveport-Bossier celebrates World Tourism Day, September 27, by sharing the measurable impact of tourism in our region through key findings in 2024 data.
According to VisaVue Travel Data, in 2024, international visitors spent $277.4 million in the region on various local restaurants & dining, retail, and entertainment. Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, France, and Australia accounted for the top five markets by spend in Shreveport-Bossier. International restaurant and dining spend grew 11.8%, with February and November being the highest performing months. February saw the most overall growth, with a whopping 77% in the entertainment category compared to 2023.
This international growth has a heavy, positive impact on our community. These travelers stay longer, spend more per trip, and support local restaurants, businesses, and entertainment that give Shreveport-Bossier it’s unique character.
In 2024, Shreveport-Bossier attracted 9.7 million domestic visitors to our area, according to a study provided by Longwoods International. These visitors generated $1.4 billion in visitor spending, fueling economic growth in our community and boosting tax revenues through travel and tourism.
Of those domestic visitors, 4.2 million stayed overnight while 5.5 million came for the day. This shows that both multi-day trips and quick getaways play a vital role in our economy. 86% of overnight travelers to Shreveport-Bossier are repeat visitors, and of that group, 60% of overnight travelers are “very satisfied” with their trip. This indicates that our community creates memorable experiences that bring people back year after year.
“We are diligent and passionate about growing tourism because it directly impacts the quality of life for our residents,” said Stacy Brown, President & CEO of Visit Shreveport-Bossier. “Many may not realize that tourism helps fund local services through tax revenue, supports local jobs, and brings vitality to our community. Every visitor we welcome contributes to making Shreveport-Bossier a better place to live.”
Overnight expenditures by domestic travelers generated $933 million in overnight expenditures. The breakdown of spending is as follows:
| Lodging | 30% | $283 Million |
| Transportation at Destination | 9% | $84 Million |
| Restaurant Food & Beverage | 20% | $186 Million |
| Retail Purchase | 13% | $121 Million |
| Recreation/Entertainment | 28% | $259 Million |
These measurable results align with the long-term vision, outlined in Visit Shreveport-Bossier’s 10-year Destination Masterplan (DMP) to optimize the visitor economy. This roadmap emphasizes continuing to grow sports tourism, which generated over $47 million in economic impact in 2024, and capitalizes on the meetings and conventions sector, which brought almost 70,000 room nights last year.
Visit Shreveport-Bossier looks forward to building on this momentum with partners, and those who call Shreveport-Bossier home, creating a stronger, more unified community and an even more vibrant visitor’s destination.