Month-long event features discounts, showcases regional attractions

April showers might bring May flowers, but the month of May is also ushering in a local bouquet of discounts, special offers and various experiences. The Be a Fan of Shreveport-Bossier Campaign returns May 1-31 to spotlight community attractions.

Organized by the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau and the Shreveport-Bossier Attractions Association, Be a Fan of Shreveport-Bossier was designed to complement National Travel and Tourism Week, May 5-11, by motivating locals and visitors to explore attractions such as museums, art galleries, farmers’ markets, parks and concert venues.

Chris Jay, social media and public relations manager for the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau, is especially looking forward to the campaign. “From the Tourist Bureau’s perspective, it’s great to hear from local attractions that they’re being discovered by new patrons,” Jay said. “The Tourist Bureau is here to put more money in the pockets of local businesses, and the Be a Fan of Shreveport-Bossier program is one of the tools in our toolkit to do just that.”

One example of the many enticing campaign opportunities available is the promotion offered by Shreveport Aquarium, which amounts to a savings of $4 per adult. “The best part of working on Be a Fan of Shreveport-Bossier is hearing success stories from our partners, who often see a lot of first-time visitors because of this promotion,” Jay said.

Be a Fan of Shreveport-Bossier is the perfect chance for locals to get out and visit that attraction that they’ve perhaps always been curious about but haven’t yet been able to visit. “The admission discounts function as an added push intended to get locals off of the couch and exploring all of the great things to see and do in their own back yard,” Jay said. “Splash Kingdom Water Park has a great offer of $6 off admission—I personally have never been to Splash Kingdom and hope to take advantage of that discount!” Other hidden gems in the area include the Shreveport Water Works Museum, the Spirit of the Red River Cruise and Jubilee Zoo. “Those three attractions are really easy to miss if you don’t know they’re there,” Jay said. “This promotion puts a spotlight on them, right alongside more popular attractions like Sci-Port Discovery Center and Shreveport Aquarium.”

Jon Whitehead, LEED AP and founding partner of Planet Aqua Group, is looking forward to welcoming new guests who have yet to visit the aquarium. “Locals should support us because attractions like this bring in visitors from across the region and state,” Whitehead said. “The aquarium has seen tourists from all 50 states, many of whom will spend additional money locally creating economic impact.”

This is an excellent opportunity for those in the community to support local venues. “The aquarium itself is pretty unique because it is the only attraction like this for 200 miles,” Whitehead said. “It also has a host of interactive experiences and educational opportunities often not even found in larger aquariums.”

If that wasn’t enough incentive, there’s more! “There’s also pretty great prize package being given away on our website, so everyone should swing by www.BeaFanofSB.com and enter, because who doesn’t love a good giveaway?” Jay asked.

To get started, go to www.BeaFanofSB.com and like the Be a Fan of Shreveport-Bossier page on Facebook. “By doing so, you can receive updates about the discounts as well as giveaways and other fun things that’ll be taking place during May,” Jay said.

Share your experiences during Be a Fan of Shreveport-Bossier on social media by using the hashtag #BeaFanofSB. “This promotion is really all about helping our local attractions become more successful and engage new audiences, and by helping us spread the word about these offers, you’re helping the attractions succeed,” Jay said.