Record number of tourists visited Louisiana in 2018

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the state welcomed 51.3 million visitors in 2018. He says that's an increase of 9% over the 47.1 million visitors reported by DK Shifflet, a tourism and travel research company, in April 2017.

In a news release Friday, Nungesser said visitors spent $18.8 billion, a 7% increase over 2017.

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The number of visitors to New Orleans in 2018 and the amount of money they spent increased 4.29 percent compared to the previous year.

That’s according to a study commissioned by marketing organization New Orleans & Co. and the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation.

The study done by D.K. Shifflet & Associates said over 18 million people visited the city last year, spending $9.1 billion. That’s a nearly 4 percent increase.

A news release said the numbers are consistent with the state’s figures. Last week it reported 51.3 million visitors and $18.8 billion in spending.

Compared to 2017, those numbers reflect an increase of 9 percent in number of visitors and a 7 percent increase in visitor spending statewide, the news release said.

In New Orleans, visitors spent 18.44 percent more on lodging, reaching $2.1 billion; 2.29 percent more on food and beverage, reaching $2.1 billion. Transportation and entertainment spending saw slight increases.

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