Every time I see the word “Louisiana” a smile creeps across my face. That’s because Louisiana is the happiest state in the U.S. and makes Canadians like me feel so welcome when we visit. I was reminded of all the good times I’ve had in Louisiana yesterday when a tourism delegation, headed by the state’s jaunty Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, paid a visit to Toronto for a media event. Canada is the largest foreign tourism market for the state and representatives wanted to let us know what Louisiana has to offer in 2016 - and that’s a lot!
Nungesser, who gained international recognition when he led the fight for compensation for areas of Louisiana devastated by the 2010 BP Deepwater  Horizon Oil Spill - before ascending to his current post - is a passionate spokesman for the state and told the assembled media that Louisiana holds Canadians in high regard. The feeling is mutual - after all, Louisiana’s French roots can be traced all the way back to Canada’s Acadians.
Louisiana always makes me feel good when I visit and while listening to Nungesser and other state tourism reps, I was reminded of my last visit to Louisiana where I enjoyed:

Great Cajun and Creole cuisine at some of naughty New Orleans’ most iconic restaurants: http://www.travelife.ca/en-us/destinations/northamerica/unitedstates/louisiana/neworleansisaculinarytreatforvisitors.aspx
Visited historic plantations that tell the story of slave life during America’s darkest period: http://www.travelife.ca/en-us/destinations/northamerica/unitedstates/louisiana/plantationtourscauseachainreaction.aspx
Toured the state’s informative and entertaining World War II museum: http://www.travelife.ca/en-us/destinations/northamerica/unitedstates/louisiana/neworleanswwiimuseumisbeyondallboundaries.aspx
Discovered a wonderful little town called Covington where great restaurants manned by some of America’s hottest chefs, along with the town’s lolly brewed craft beer and its lovely townsfolk make you feel so welcome: http://www.travelife.ca/en-us/destinations/northamerica/unitedstates/louisiana/covingtonislouisianasculinarymecca.aspx
Their visit yesterday also reminded me that I haven’t yet visited Shreveport, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles or Alexandria and it’s been too long since I last enjoyed a plate of crawfish or teed it up on one of the spectacular golf courses that make up Louisiana’s fabulous Audubon Golf Trail.
Guess it’s time to go back to Louisiana - because it puts me in a good “state” if mind.
For more on all that Louisiana has to offer, go to http://www.louisianatravel.com