§1253. Definition of terms

            For the purposes of this Subpart, the terms used herein shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

            (1) "Act 455 funds" mean the public monies appropriated by the legislature in accordance with Acts 1970, No. 455 and granted by the commission under authority of R.S. 51:1271 et seq.

            (2) "Assistant secretary" means the assistant secretary of the office of tourism of the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism.

            (3) "Commission" means the Louisiana Tourism Development Commission created by R.S. 51:1256 and transferred into the department by R.S. 36:209(A).

            (4) "Department" means the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism.

            (5) "Economic impact" means the value derived by the state and its political subdivisions in return for expenditures made on tourism advertising by the office in terms of revenue generated, jobs created, income generated for individuals or business within the state, changes in the number of tourist dollars spent in Louisiana, and such other results as may be appropriate to consider in calculating the justification for the expenditures authorized for tourism promotion.

            (6) "Office" means the office of tourism of the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism.

            (7) "Promotion" means generally the encouragement through advertising, education, informational means and public relations, both within the state and outside of it, of travel by persons away from their residences for recreation, pleasure, personal reasons, or other purposes.

            (8) "Tourism" means activities involved in providing and marketing services and products, including accommodations, food, and beverages, for nonresidents and residents who travel to and in Louisiana.

            (9) "Tourism industry" means the industry consisting of private and public organizations that directly or indirectly provide services and products to nonresidents and residents who travel as tourists to and in Louisiana. The term "tourism industry" includes both the travel industry and the hospitality industry, and their components.

            (10)(a) "Tourist" means that definition adopted by the department in accordance with generally accepted definitions used by the department for reporting purposes. The term "traveler", "conventioneer", "vacationer", and "visitor" shall all mean tourist for the purposes of this Subpart.

            (b) The department shall adopt a definition within sixty days of August 15, 2001. The department shall submit to the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection and the House Committee on Commerce a comparative summary of the definition of tourists as defined by other southern states within sixty days of August 15, 2001.

            Added by Acts 1983, No. 688, §4; Acts 2001, No. 1191, §1; Acts 2021, No. 20, §7.