St. Tammany NOW
St.
Tammany NOW is a curated collection of the latest economic development information and business and industry insight in our community directly from St. Tammany Corporation, the economic development organization for St. Tammany. St. Tammany NOW highlights what and who makes the St. Tammany business community thrive, illustrating the opportunities to diversify and fortify our economy. In this issue we are focusing on the hospitality and tourism industry. It is our pleasure to feature insights from our partner Donna O’Daniels, President and CEO of the St. Tammany Parish Tourist and Convention Commission, as we explore the interconnectivity of tourism and economic development here in St. Tammany. Tourism is a facet of the practice of economic development and a valuable industry sector for our community.
“Tourism plays a crucial role in the economic development cycle because everything starts with a visit,” said O’Daniels. “Before someone moves here, retires here, or locates their business here, they visit first. The work that the Tourist Commission does in branding St. Tammany Parish as a great place to live, work and play complements the objectives of St. Tammany Corporation and the THRIVE2023 strategic plan.” The food, culture, and hospitality industry is an important part of our local economy. The industry employs more than 10,500 workers, which is 37% above the national average. Over the past decade, jobs in the Accommodations & Food Services industry has grown more than 18% since 2010, more than twice the national and state rates, and over the next decade, will increase by another 24%, four times the national growth rate and three times the state growth rate. This rapid growth over the coming decade will earn
PHOTO BY LOUISIANA NORTHSHORE
010
EDGE August | September 2021