Southwest Louisiana and Lake Charles-Update for Group Travel Planners

Since Hurricane Rita hit Southwest Louisiana on September 24, 2005, recovery efforts in the Lake Charles area have been swift and smart, and the community rebounded more quickly than anyone anticipated. Most of the damage that occurred was caused by strong winds, and the flooding that did take place briefly impacted several buildings right along the shores of Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish with the majority of the flooding sweeping through southern Cameron Parish due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. In both cases, the high waters were short lived, as Southwest Louisiana is not below sea level, and most of Calcasieu Parish was high and dry throughout the storm.

The Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, which runs through a large portion of Cameron Parish, was the attraction that sustained the most devastation, but Mother Nature has her way of healing itself from the saltwater intrusion into local wetlands and wildlife refuges. Visitors are encouraged to check www.creolenaturetrail.org for updates and openings along the 180 mile world-famous drive.

The number one attraction to the area is the casino gaming industry, and boy is it ever booming! The areas three casinos are thriving, and plans are in the works for a fourth major casino. One of the newest structures in the area, L Auberge du Lac, opening in May of 2005, fared remarkably well during the hurricane and did not suffer any major damage from Rita. In fact, in January of 2006, just three months after the hurricane, the Louisiana Travel & Tourism Summit was held at the property with glowing success. L Auberge is the home of over 750 rooms, suites and villas, 26,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, innovative dining outlets, top name entertainment, a lazy river, day spa and Tom Fazio golf course. Not to mention, L Auberge is breaking ground on an additional 250 rooms/suites to be completed in 2007.

The most difficult challenge that the Lake Charles region faces is helping visitors understand that Hurricane Rita did not ravage the area. Most people who have attended conventions after the storm are surprised by how little has changed with the state of the hotels, restaurants, facilities, shopping centers and tourist attractions in Calcasieu Parish. We were fortunate that the convention facilities which opened in 2005 were not heavily impacted by the storm, said Shelley Johnson, executive director of the Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel opened a 203 room hotel in the early spring of 2005. The Gator Lounge and the Event Center always has great entertainment, and the property was recently updated with a new food court and more. The Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel was also renovated and has great live entertainment and restaurants in addition to its gaming and meeting facilities.

In Sulphur, La., the SPAR Aquatic Center opened in May of 2005. This state-of-the-art facility did not sustain major damage from Rita and includes 90,000 square feet under one roof, two basketball courts, an indoor track, an aerobics center, fitness room, two racquetball courts, an indoor Olympic sized swimming pool, a heated pool, an outdoor water park and more.

Southwest Louisiana/Lake Charles has over 75 annual festivals each year, the second largest Mardi Gras in the state and houses the most expansive display of Mardi Gras costumes in the world! Groups are encouraged to visit the area, partake in festivities and revel in authentic Cajun cuisine and music. The Lake Charles area is back on its feet, and its newest structures survived the Hurricane Rita in 2005 with minimal to no damage and are as good as new. Southern hospitality shines through each day, and the major attractions, festivals and events are still intact in Southwest Louisiana. Other first class meeting facilities in the Lake Charles area include the Lake Charles Civic Center, Burton Coliseum, and the West Calcasieu Community Center.

For more information, contact Tico Soto, sales director at the Southwest Louisiana/Lake Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 456-7952 or [email protected] For general information on the area, visit www.visitlakecharles.org