Saturday, May 5th kicks-off the 29th Annual National Travel and Tourism Week and all of Vermilion Parish is invited to participate. The goal of National Travel and Tourism Week is to enhance the country’s economy by recognizing the cultural and social benefits created by travel and tourism. Travel and tourism is a major economic driver in Louisiana since it generates over $860 million in annual tax revenue. For every dollar that is spent on tourism advertising, $17 is generated in tax revenue which is put back into our local economies. Tourism attracts nearly 25 million visitors annually to our state annually and employs 1 out of every 13 people in Louisiana. On average, tourists spend $9.5 billion in Louisiana businesses each year.

Residents can participate in National Travel and Tourism Week by visiting what’s in your own backyard. Invite your family and friends and take them to one of our free museums or attractions throughout the parish. Dance to Cajun music at Touchet’s or the Museum Café’s Cajun Music Jam Sessions held on Saturdays. Travel to the southern part of the parish and look for alligators, birds and other wildlife. Eat at one of our local eating establishments. Cook a meal using some of the locally grown and manufactured products produced in Vermilion Parish. Visit our local retail shops and purchase something made by local artisans. You don’t need to spend a lot of money - just spend time enjoying and appreciating what we have in “the Most Cajun place on earth.”

The Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission office is located at 1905 Veterans Memorial Drive in Abbeville. The office is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. For a complete list of what Vermilion Parish has to offer in the travel and tourism industry, call 337-898-6600 or visit www.MostCajun.com.