La. Plans a Web-Based Culinary Trail

NEW ORLEANS — Tourists hoping to eat their way through Louisiana may soon be able to plan their menus from cyberspace.

A public-private partnership on Wednesday unveiled Louisiana Culinary Trails, a Web-based tool still in the design stage that is designed to help visitors navigate the state's diverse eating ethic.

The program highlights Louisiana's culinary and cultural heritage, suggesting a series of "trails" but also allowing visitors to map their own food routes.

Included are everything from neighborhood joints like New Orleans' Domilise Sandwich Shop and Bar to the haute cuisine of the state's top restaurants such as Chef John Besh's Restaurant August, also in New Orleans.

"These trails have always been here," said Besh, who was on hand for Wednesday's announcement. "It's only now we are pointing them out."

The move is part of a growing trend toward culinary tourism — targeting travelers who plan vacations around food and wine. Similar trails have been established in such places as Pennsylvania Dutch country, the Mississippi Delta and upstate New York.

The latest plan grew from a study of national culinary tourism trends, boosted by Louisiana's recognition as one of the top 15 global destinations for food-related travel.

"Our raw food is the best in the world," said Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu. "Then we add our creative genius to it."

Restaurants alone are expected to contribute $4.8 billion to the economy this year, according to the Louisiana Restaurant Association.

Unlike golf trail programs — in which travelers cross a region from course to course — no highway signs will proclaim the culinary trails, said Stacy Brown, president of the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau.

"We'll have a Web site that will allow you to design your culinary trail and combine it with other things you want to do or see," Brown said. "There will also be a lot of suggestions for different types of food, different types of restaurants."

The site is still under construction. Brown was unsure when that process would be completed, but said it would occur before the three-year program wraps up.

The site will list all Louisiana-owned restaurants. Basic listings are free. Enhanced listings — including restaurant name, pictures and direct links to the Web site — would cost businesses $150.

The marketing program is one of the largest public-private partnerships in state history, Landrieu said. It has a $600,000 budget for three years.

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On the Net:

Louisiana Travel Promotion Association: http://www.ltpa.org

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