FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Kristian Sonnier
New Orleans CVB
(504) 481-7933
ksonnier@neworleanscvb.com

Barry Landry
Louisiana Office of Tourism
(225) 342-8142
blandry@crt.la.gov

The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Louisiana Office of Tourism announce a new, joint partnership in the selection of China based firm East West Marketing Corporation to support tourism efforts in China. East West Marketing Corporation will provide support for travel trade sales, public relations, consumer marketing, and social media promotions. The Chinese travel market is the fastest growing inbound travel market to the United States and currently the third-largest overseas inbound market, projected to rank number one by 2021. This opportunity is crucial in contributing to the increase of international travel to New Orleans, the state of Louisiana and the Southern Region as a whole.

"As part of our continued effort to market New Orleans to the world, we have identified China as an emerging source of increased visitation to New Orleans. This is the first step in a long-term strategy of cultivating this market and introducing New Orleans' unique attributes to the people of China. We are excited about partnering with the Louisiana Office of Tourism to attract more Chinese visitors to New Orleans and Louisiana," said Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans CVB.

East West Marketing Corporation's offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu will educate key travel buyers about Louisiana and New Orleans through several resources, including the use of digital and online channels, such as WeChat and Weibo, and through direct sales to travel professionals and travel media outlets.

Traveling to Louisiana from China is much easier now, with direct flights from China to Houston and Dallas, growth of Texas and Louisiana travel packages and the increase in Travel Visa Validity to 10 years as of November 2014. This partnership will also have a major economic impact on Louisiana tourism dollars, with Chinese visitors ranking number one in spending.

The addition of East West Marketing Corporation increases the visibility of Louisiana and New Orleans in key international travel markets. Currently, the New Orleans CVB and the Louisiana Office of Tourism have international representatives in Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, the state is represented in Australia, Japan, and Italy.

"International travel has increased 36 percent to the state and 37 percent to New Orleans over the last year. That's huge for our state because international visitors stay longer, see more, and as a result spend more money," said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. "Louisiana has a one of a kind experience to offer visitors and we need to continue putting our best foot forward and making sure people around the world know Louisiana is ready to help them pass a good time."

"The number of Chinese travelers to the United States was 3 million for 2016. That is expected to double to 6 million by 2021, moving China into the top spot for the number of long-haul inbound travelers to our country and exceeding the number of visitors from Germany, France, and Australia combined. Our goal is to ensure these travelers know about the wonderful food, music, culture, and history Louisiana has to offer inspiring them to make Louisiana their destination of choice," said Assistant Secretary Kyle Edmiston.

East West Marketing Corporation (EWM) has been synonymous with high marketing professionalism and expertise. With over 18 years of promoting tourism destinations in China market, EWM provides our partners in China with the most updated travel and tourism information as well as integrated marketing and sales support according to their specific requests. Our deep understanding of the tourism market in both U.S. and China makes us your best choice and partner to develop the China outbound travel market. East West Marketing has professional team on travel trade, PR, social media, website creation, video production, event management, etc. We currently have wholly-owned local operating office in the following cities in China: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu.

The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau is a nationally accredited, 1,100-member destination marketing organization and the largest and most successful private economic development corporation in Louisiana. The CVB and its members influence thousands of decision-makers and millions of visitors to choose New Orleans through direct sales, marketing, public relations, branding and visitor services at our New Orleans headquarters and offices in Chicago, Louisville, KY, Washington, D.C., the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Brazil and China.. Consistently recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the country, the New Orleans CVB celebrates its 57th anniversary in 2017. For more information, please visit www.neworleanscvb.com; www.facebook.com/neworleans; www.twitter.com/neworleans.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism (LOT) is the destination marketing organization for the state of Louisiana. It is charged with the sales, marketing and promotion of the state as a travel destination for potential visitors, both domestic and international. LOT's objective is to increase the number of visitors annually, enhance visitor experiences, generate and increase annual visitor spending resulting in greater tax revenues for local and state government, and increase tourism employment for all areas of the state. The Louisiana Office of Tourism works to promote a positive image of the state as a great place to visit, play, live, and retire through a variety of proven and effective methods such as partnerships with city/parish Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs). In 2016, the Southeast Tourism Society named the Louisiana Office of Tourism the State Tourism Office of the Year. For more information on traveling to Louisiana, please visit www.LouisianaTravel.com.

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