About the NACVB
Mission
The mission of the Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is to provide leadership in initiating and coordinating the worldwide market of Natchitoches Parish as a highly desirable vacation and meeting destination; to solicit and service meeting and other group-related business; and to engage in visitor promotions which generate overnight stays in Natchitoches Parish, thereby enhancing and developing the economic fabric of the community.
Inception
- Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau started as a committee of the Chamber of Commerce in the mid ‘70s.
- From 1978 to 1995 the NCVB was operated as a division of the C of C.
- In 1995, the NCVB was incorporated as an independent organization.
- In 1998 the Visitors Center was opened.
- Funding comes from a Natchitoches Parish Tourism Occupancy Tax. Additional explanation of the tax can be found under the finance and administration section.
Location
The Natchitoches CVB is located in the Natchitoches Information Center, located at 781 Front Street, in the downtown historic district overlooking the Cane River Lake. The Information Center is open Monday - Sunday 9 AM - 5 PM and most major holidays.
Purpose
The purpose of the Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is to promote the development and growth of the convention and visitors industry in Natchitoches Parish by increasing the number of people from outside Natchitoches Parish who come here for conventions, conferences and meetings, programs and events. In Natchitoches Area there are: 68 lodging facilities, over 28 restaurants, and Northwestern State University. The main attractions are: Cane River National Heritage Area; Cane River Creole National Historical Park; Fort St. Jean Baptiste; Melrose Plantation; Landmark Historic District. Numerous area festivals are held on the downtown riverbank of Cane River Lake: Natchitoches Christmas Festival, Meat Pie Festival, Jazz/R&B Festival and more. Natchitoches has an active Main Street Program and was named a Preserve America Community in 2004 and one of the Dozen Distinctive Destinations by National Trust in 2005.
