WALLACE — Proponents of St. John the Baptist Parish’s exit from the River Parish Tourist Commission launched a new nonprofit to promote tourism awareness and education in St. John.

The St. John Parish Tourism Association held its opening celebration at Whitney Plantation May 12, welcoming more than 15 business vendors on a busy touring day that attracted approximately 400 people.

Organizer Joy Banner said the St. John Tourism Association is completely separate from the River Parish Tourist Commission, a state board. The Parish Council, divided in opinion over the risks, benefits and legality of the proposed split, are expected to vote on the issue May 22.

In the event St. John Parish forms its own Tourist Commission, the nonprofit Tourism Association would remain a separate entity, Banner said.

“We’d be more than willing to continue the nonprofit as a community action group to give voice, direction and assistance to the St. John Parish Tourist Commission,” Banner said.

The nonprofit would ideally develop local tourism by providing volunteers, grant money and other resources to business owners. Banner said the organization’s 35-40 members have met in collaborative group settings to brainstorm ideas.

Ten core members have drafted bylaws and researched tourism promotion models in and beyond Louisiana, according to Banner.

“There are things we want to start doing immediately to support tourism because we’re about action,” Banner said. “Instead of waiting for a vote from the Council, we’ve decided to go ahead and start promoting what makes our parish great.”

Banner said the goal is not to exclude St. James and St. Charles parishes, but rather serve as a model for what a tourism organization can accomplish.

Talk of a split

Made up of nine board members, the Tourist Commission has three representatives per parish. Proponents of the split are concerned that a majority of voters can easily shoot down motions benefitting St. John.

“When we’re branded as the River Parishes or New Orleans Plantation Country, where is St. John Parish?” Banner said.

“When we’re not being specific about who we are and what we have to offer, we’re losing people and connections.”

Parish Councilman Thomas Malik questioned the legality of splitting away from the Tourist Commission, adding a vote to split would be moot without prior approval from an attorney.

Malik said there is a better opportunity to make the Tourist Commission work as it currently stands.

“I think there’s strength in numbers,” Malik said. “We should work in unison as a conglomerate, advertising one another so everyone benefits.”

He used lodging as an example, noting St. John Parish receives funds from tourists who utilize local hotels to visit attractions in neighboring parishes.

Malik doesn’t take issue with the nonprofit St. John Tourism Association as a supplement to promotion. However, he’s unsure St. John has the foundation to control its own Tourist Commission.

“Any group that wants to make the Parish better is perfectly acceptable,” Malik said.

“It’s a start, but you need a business model and a plan to move forward.”