Louisiana Travel, Hospitality & the Future of Tourism with Chris Landry

In this episode of Field Notes: Insights for the Travel Marketer, Eric sits down live at the STS Connections Conference with Chris Landry, President & CEO of the Louisiana Travel Association. Chris shares his perspective on Louisiana’s unique travel identity, the evolving role of AI in marketing, and why hospitality is the ultimate differentiator in tourism. Topics include: 🌴 What hosting a major conference means for Lake Charles and overlooked Louisiana destinations 🍤 The food culture divide—why gumbo, boudin, and jambalaya showcase the western Cajun influence 🤖 How AI is changing marketing workflows for CVBs and leveling the playing field for smaller destinations 📈 Why Louisiana is optimistic heading into 2026 with big events like Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl fueling demand 💡 How the industry can avoid burnout and why “niceness” might just be the most important KPI in tourism 🎓 Opportunities in hospitality careers, from marketing to accounting, and the work of the Louisiana Tourism Fund If you’re passionate about travel marketing, destination branding, or the future of hospitality, this episode offers fresh insights straight from one of Louisiana’s leading voices. 🌐 Learn more: Louisiana Travel Association 🎙️ Subscribe for more Field Notes episodes on travel, strategy, and storytelling.