BATON ROUGE – State officials are once again taking to the sky for an overseas trip; this time, it's the Lt. Governor who traveled to France this week.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser's office released details of the trip Tuesday – two days into travel. Nungesser is traveling with tourism leaders and three legislators. The group left on January 29th and will return after a scheduled visit to Lyon, France, on February 2nd.

Nungesser's office said travel costs for him and his staff were $22,643. Others who traveled paid $1,500 to participate and had to cover their own airfare, accommodations and transportation.

The lieutenant governor, unlike the governor, does not travel with a police security detail.

Staff included: Lt. Gov. Nungesser, Deputy Secretary Rennie Buras, Deputy Communications Director Jessica Ragusa, tourism assistant secretary Kyle Edmiston, International Salesperson Mike Projean, Director of Scenic Byways Doug Bourgeois and Jessilee Simien of the Vinton Welcome Center.

Also traveling with the group:

Gregor Trumel, Consul General de France en Louisiane 
Senator Karen Carter Peterson, (D) District 5, New Orleans 
Dana Peterson, Husband of Sen. Karen Carter Peterson 
Senator J.P. Morrell, (D) District 3, New Orleans 
Senator Dan Claitor, (R) District 16, Baton Rouge 
Mrs. Sharmaine Claitor, Wife of Sen. Dan Claitor 
Jill Kidder, Louisiana Tourism Promotion Association CEO 
Tracy Browning, Ascension Parish Tourist Commission Executive Director 
Joseph Dunn, Laura Plantation 
Paul Arrigo, Visit Baton Rouge Executive Director 
Tracey Francis, Visit Baton Rouge Destination Sales Manager 
Kevin Kelly, Houmas House Plantation 
Tanya Leader, St. Tammany Tourism & Convention Commission Sales & Services Manager 
Kim Priez, New Orleans CVB Vice President of Tourism 
Megan Rayburn, New Orleans Plantation Country Tourism Sales Manager 
Eric Edwards, Livingston Parish CVB Executive Director 
Sharon Stam Moran, West Baton Rouge Parish CVB Executive Director 
Eugenie Mitchell, Lafayette Travel Vice President of Tourism Sales 
Lynette Tanner, Frogmore Plantation 
Carla Tate, Tangipahoa CVB Executive Director 
Laurie Walsh, West Feliciana Parish Tourist Commission Executive Director 
Fred Werquin, Travelhost South Louisiana 

As lieutenant governor, Nungesser oversees the state's tourism and cultural programs and is the chief advertiser and salesman for the state.

Nungesser said in a statement, his mission is vital to an increasing interest in travel to Louisiana from other countries.

“International visitation to our state has recently seen an increase of 37 percent. International visitors stay longer and spend more money. That is a win for the state as tourism in Louisiana brings a return on investment of $38 for every $1 spent,” the lieutenant governor said.

“France is one of Louisiana’s most important overseas markets. When looking at international visitors signing guest books at our Welcome Centers, French visitors top the list,” Edmiston added. “The French culture is a big part of the history of our state. Many people in France dream of being able to visit Louisiana. We are working to convince them to make that dream a reality.” 

The state said the group has already met with tourism officials in France and discussed Louisiana's successful music festivals.

Later, the group is scheduled to meet with travel writers, tour operators and French media along with French elected officials.

Spent time with our partners and state senators encouraging travel writers to come and visit #onlylouisiana on our sales mission to France. pic.twitter.com/jnLsxsG97o

— Billy Nungesser (@BillyNungesser) January 31, 2017

LIVE interview at 11:30 am in France with @TV5MONDE as we invite the French to come pass a good time in Louisiana. https://t.co/FTsb0OPkw9

— Billy Nungesser (@BillyNungesser) January 31, 2017

The travel comes in the same month as a trip to Italy by Governor John Bel Edwards and concerns from lawmakers about dealing with another state budget deficit – this one a little more than $300 million – that must be taken care of before the summer.

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