Louisiana is a unique place that attracts visitors from around the globe. While many know us as a world-class tourism destination, our culture, history, economic opportunity and natural resources also make our state a wonderful place to live, work and play.
The mission of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism is to preserve and enhance Louisiana’s unique heritage and natural landscape; provide cultural, informational, and recreational resources; and promote the use of these resources by our diverse citizens and visitors.
Guided by accountability, high performance, and ethical behavior, our efforts focus on increasing visitation and improving our state’s image while fueling economic growth to benefit communities throughout Louisiana. As 
evidence of the department’s commitment to improving government performance, the recent Impact of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism on Louisiana’s Economy and Quality of Life for Louisiana’s Citizens study showed that for every state tax dollar spent by the Department of CRT, $5.86 is returned to the State Treasury and citizens of Louisiana.
The Department of CRT is made up of five agencies – Tourism, State Parks, Cultural Development, State Museums, and the State Library.
Working together, these agencies provide opportunities for education, conservation, interpretation and recreation, and also provide jobs for hundreds of Louisiana residents. The Department also fuels economic growth through tourism, operates programs which generate state and local tax revenues, and provides a stable, non-polluting source of outside income for the state. In addition, various organizations within CRT, such as the Atchafalaya Trace Commission, the Mississippi River Road Commission, the Red River Development Council, Louisiana Scenic Byways and the Audubon Golf Trail, provide additional resources to further extend the reach of the Department and the economic viability of our state.
In Louisiana, culture means business, and here you will find a rich cultural heritage that is celebrated in our food, music, literature and traditions. To capitalize on these resources, together with the Office of Lt Governor, we have created Louisiana’s Cultural Economy Initiative, which supports the development of our creative industries as a viable sector of Louisiana’s economy. To guide our efforts, we have worked with Mt. Auburn & Associates to develop the following report, which outlines strengths and opportunities for driving our cultural economy forward–Louisiana: Where Culture Means Business.
Louisiana is a place like no other. While we take pride in being one of the world’s most rewarding tourism destinations, we are also home to some of the nation’s fastest-growing companies, cutting-edge biomedical research and development, a business friendly environment and a productive and progressive work force. We welcome you to explore all we have to offer, and see why so many people agree that Louisiana is a great place to live, work and play.
Goals
The Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism is administered by the Secretary under the jurisdiction of the Lieutenant Governor, who serves as the Commissioner of the Department. The Department has four goals:
- The Department will create a greater awareness of Louisiana’s culture, history, and natural resources so that citizens and visitors will be more aware of the rich cultural, historical, and natural assets of the state.
- The Department will promote the tourism and arts industries in Louisiana so that these industries will have a greater economic impact on the state.
- The Department will improve the state’s management and conservation of significant historical, natural, informational, and cultural sites and resources so that they will be better protected for future generations.
- The Department will provide opportunities for outdoor recreation in Louisiana so that there will be an increased number of citizens and visitors who are aware of, have access to, and who utilize and appreciate the state’s natural beauty.
Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism
P.O. Box 94361
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9361
Phone: 225.342.8115
FAX: 225.342.3207
Click here for the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism
[compiled in part from CRT]