Travel group honors Thompson

The Louisiana Travel Promotion Association honored District 34 Sen. Francis Thompson with the 2015 Governmental Friend of Tourism Award at its annual membership meeting. 

The award recognizes Sen. Thompson’s dedication to Louisiana’s travel and tourism industry, namely his work to put a Louisiana landmark, Poverty Point, on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

 “Each year, it is our privilege to honor one state legislator for working diligently to help the tourism industry showcase our great culture to the rest of the world,” said Jill Kidder, LTPA co-executive director. “Senator Thompson has gone above and beyond to help make Poverty Point’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a reality. Because of his efforts on this important tourism project, visitors are already coming from around the globe to see this north Louisiana attraction.”

 Senator Thompson worked with many state, federal and international leaders over the past eight-year during the UNESCO World Heritage application process. Poverty Point now joins the ranks of the Great Wall of China, Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The 3,400-year-old site is considered one of the most culturally significant American Indian sites in the United States.

 “I am humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award,” said Sen. Thompson. “It has been my pleasure to work with other leaders in order to put Poverty Point on the UNESCO World Heritage list.”

 LTPA is a trade association leading and strengthening Louisiana’s vibrant tourism industry through promotion, education and advocacy on behalf of our members. Tourism generated $10.8 billion for Louisiana in 2013 and employs 152,000 people throughout the state.