Special to the American PressCalcasieu Parish welcomed 7.5 million visitors in 2025, an increase of 6.7% from 2023, according to the 2025 Travel USA Report from LongwoodsInternational, a recognized authority in travel and tourism research. “These findings reinforce the strength and momentum of tourism in Southwest Louisiana,” said Kyle Edmiston, president and CEO of Visit Lake Charles. Fishing participation rose among visitors, and participation in cultural activities among overnight visitors increased from 28% to 36% compared with the previous study. Nearly eight in 10 overnight visitors were repeat visitors, while overall trip satisfaction among overnight visitors averaged 4.4 out of 5. For more visitor research and insights on tourism’s impact in Southwest Louisiana, visit visitlakecharles.org/alwayshere.