LAPLACE — Joy Banner, marketing director for Whitney Plantation in Wallace, has become increasingly concerned over a lack of foresight within River Parishes Tourist Commission marketing objectives.

“There is no strategic plan for the Tourist Commission; no objective or research,” Banner said. “We base marketing and advertising off of assumptions about the New Orleans Plantation Country brand. We don’t have data to know what trends to plan for.”

Approximately 40 Tourist Commission stakeholders convened for a tourism and business forum last week, initiated by Banner to address concerns that St. John the Baptist Parish attractions aren’t getting a fair share of the tourist market.

Tension was evident as attendees voiced differing opinions on the preferred scope of Tourist Commission promotion, St. John’s identity in relation to the New Orleans Plantation Country name and board member operations.

St. John the Baptist Parish Councilman Larry Snyder posed a question about board member attendance, which he said has hindered voting on more than one occasion in 2018 when the quorum was not met.

Nine board members, three from St. John, St. James and St. Charles parishes, govern the Tourist Commission respectively.

Extenuating circumstances, which included one of the board members severely injured in an accident, was partially at fault, according to Executive Director Buddy Boe.

However, Boe and board members Peggy Joseph and Elizabeth Joseph suggested lowering the amount of meetings board members are permitted to miss from six to four in a calendar period.

Advertising Focus

Yish Edwards, representing more than 20 small vendors in the RRCA Farmer’s and Community Market, asked board members if there are intentions to support smaller attractions outside of the popular plantation realm.

Boe said plantation tours are the hook that grabs tourists’ attention and brings them to the River Parishes. Smaller attractions are an added taste of local culture, he said, saying there aren’t plans to expand advertising focus in other areas at this time.

Semi Wadhwa of Belle Terre Country Club said other attractions deserve a slice of the pie, but, as the meeting wore on, more attendees voiced preference for the New Orleans Plantation Country focus.

One attendee said St. John Parish doesn’t exist in the eyes of tourists or the majority of Louisiana residents outside of the River Parishes.

Another said it’s up to smaller attractions to set their own goals and not depend on a tourist commission to do it for them.

Leslie Barrett, general manager of Cajun Pride Swamp Tours in LaPlace, suggested owners of restaurants and small vendors drop off brochures to be placed in the Cajun Pride gift shop.

Barrett said she hasn’t had any issues with the Tourist Commission and regularly receives great responses on tourism leads provided by the commission.

She did, however, take issue with Banner’s use of the word “we” when referring to the St. John Tourism Association.

Banner launched the Tourism Association in May to support St. John Parish stakeholders and provide voice and direction to the Tourist Commission. She said there are seven core members and more than 30 interested individuals.

“I live in St. John, and I’ve never once been approached to join the St. John Tourism Association,” Barrett said. “I’m a little bothered by that. I have a bigger attraction, so you’d think I would’ve been told, hey, we’re setting this up.”

Banner said she dialed back promoting the St. John Tourism Association until a firm plan is in place and members feel they can join without being blacklisted by the Tourist Commission.

“I know it doesn’t seem like I’m being forthcoming, but I’ve been challenged to keep members safe,” Banner said. “When people at the meeting called us disgruntled, it confirmed exactly what the members are afraid of, that they will suffer if they speak out.”

Banner said the Tourism Association isn’t a personal attack against Boe, but a culmination of years of concerns. Though not everyone agreed going against the grain is wise, Banner said the forum was a success in opening communication.

Financials

Budgeting was also discussed during the forum.

Banner disagreed with the Tourist Commission promoting Houmas House in Darrow, which she said goes against the guidelines to not use commission funds to benefit competing businesses outside of the River Parishes. Boe dissented Banner’s opinion, reminding attendees the Houmas House agreement has been in place since 2008 and brings in $60,000 per year. He said he’s producing a legal opinion from the District Attorney for Thursday’s Tourist Commission meeting to define a legal solution.

The next step, according to Banner, is to form committees with tourism stakeholders to set long term goals.

Boe agreed to meet with St. John Tourism Association members to address concerns.