SHREVEPORT, La. — With World Tourism Day around the corner, local officials are shining a spotlight on visitors who keep coming back to the ArkLaTex — and the impact they’re making on the regional economy.
Repeat tourism has become a driving force for businesses across northwest Louisiana, with cultural attractions, festivals, and outdoor experiences helping to draw travelers year after year. Hospitality leaders say those return visits are critical because repeat visitors often stay longer, spend more, and are more likely to explore beyond the usual tourist spots.
KTBS 3’s Jan Elkins spoke with Stacy Brown, president and CEO of the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau, who says those repeat visitors are vital to the region’s growth.
The area’s event calendar is one reason travelers keep coming back. This fall brings two of the region’s biggest draws: the Red River Revel Arts Festival and the State Fair of Louisiana. Both attract thousands of visitors annually, filling hotels, restaurants and shops across the city.
Elkins is also taking a closer look at what’s fueling the growth. From historic sites and live music to food festivals and outdoor recreation, she found that the ArkLaTex is offering more reasons than ever for tourists to keep the area on their travel list.
World Tourism Day, recognized globally each year on Sept. 27, is a reminder of the social, cultural and economic value that travel brings to communities. For the ArkLaTex, it’s an opportunity to showcase what makes the region unique — and why it continues to draw visitors back year after year.
Upcoming Events in Shreveport-Bossier
Red River Revel Arts Festival
📍 Downtown Shreveport
📅 Oct. 5 – Oct. 13
🎨 Louisiana’s largest outdoor arts festival, featuring live music, food vendors, and art from across the region.
State Fair of Louisiana
📍 State Fairgrounds, Shreveport
📅 Oct. 23 – Nov. 9
🎡 Carnival rides, live entertainment, livestock shows, and one of the largest fairs in the South.