The industry has gradually recognized that our folk cultures are a primary reason tourists come to Louisiana. The tourist comes to Louisiana to experience, or at least get a glimpse of what they have heard about. This new emphasis upon cultural resources within the tourist industry has become known as cultural tourism. Cajun music, Creole food, jazz, historic buildings and the French language are currently among the state's most popular attractions. Still, Louisiana has much more to offer.
Cultural tourism is predicted to become even more important to the tourist industry in the future.
The exciting prospect of developing cultural tourism has not only economic, but cultural benefits. Traditional crafts would have an additional market, traditional musicians would be able to perform more regularly. And perhaps, children might not be so easily persuaded to abandon traditional ways as they become adults. At the same time that we set out to reap economic benefits from our heritage, we must be very careful not to destroy the very thing that we promote. We must encourage research for our increased understanding of Louisiana's cultures.