Natchitoches was part of a Post FAM Tour June 24 with 17 international tour operators. The Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau hosted a lunch for the operators and showcased the Historic District before leaving and heading to Shreveport. During lunch, Mayor Lee Posey and Arlene Gould, executive director of the NACVB, welcomed the group, while Katherine Johnson, NACVB groups and special events manager encouraged future tours of Natchitoches. The operators visited and mingled with Natchitoches City officials and listened to Rebecca Blackenbaker, director of communications with the Cane River National Heritage Area, present an overview of the history and cultural heritage of the region. Dustin Fuqua, chief of resource management, provided an synopsis of the Cane River Creole National Historical Park, Jeremy McCormick, interpretive ranger at Fort St Jean Baptiste discussed the history of the Fort; while lastly, Steven Fullen, director of interpretation at CRNHA, discussed the importance of the Grand Ecore Visitor Center.

Over 6,000 attendees from 73 countries convened in New Orleans for IPW 2016. International travel buyers and U.S. travel suppliers conducted a record number of business appointments, which will bring billions in future travel business to the U.S.—and further serve to keep America open and connected to the world. A special thanks to the premier partner, Brand USA, and our local hosts, the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau and Louisiana Office of Tourism, who helped make this an incredibly successful event.

Tour Operators on the FAM tour represented:

Anuj Bang – India
Arnaud Devanlay – France
Ruth Drynan – Canada
Chris Getley – USA
Ribanna Ginsberg – Germany
Lene Guldmann – Denmark
Sandra Hao – China
Iris Koepke – Germany
Ana Caroline Merida – Guatemala
Shane Nelson – Australia
George Nicolescu – Romania
Mihaela Nicolescu – Romania
Karin Ochenbauer – Austria
Hai Peng – China
Silvio Rebmann – Germany
Ed Smith – Australia
Horst Wurm – Austria