The Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) celebrated the graduation of Krystal Sepulvado and Kelsi Horn, Office Administrator and Marketing and Events Manager, of the Sabine Parish Tourist and Recreation Commission from the Louisiana “Certified Travel Specialists” (CTS) program and the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy (LTLA) at the association’s 2025 Annual Meeting in Monroe.
Throughout 2024, Sepulvado and the 24 dedicated members of the CTS class embarked on a transformative journey, honing their skills through three educational sessions. They delved into the art of exceptional customer service, gained invaluable insights from esteemed leaders in Louisiana’s travel industry, and embarked on a path of personal growth. Along the way, they mastered the intricacies of navigating Louisiana’s rich tourism resources and forged meaningful connections between their roles and their communities.
Horn and the 25 members of the LTLA class spent all of 2024 developing their leadership skills while learning from seasoned professionals across the tourism industry. The goal of the program is to equip each class with knowledge and skills that will enrich their tourism-related organizations, thereby strengthening the statewide tourism industry.
Graduating as a Louisiana ‘Certified Travel Specialist’ is a significant milestone in my career,” said Krystal Sepulvado. “The program has provided me with invaluable insights and connections within the tourism industry. I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned to enhance the travel experiences of our visitors and contribute to the growth of tourism in Louisiana.”
“I’m excited to graduate as part of the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy class of 2024,” said Kelsi Horn. “I was exposed to many new ideas and learned so much from established leaders in the tourism industry. I believe I will benefit from this program for years to come.”
LTA is a trade association leading and strengthening Louisiana’s vibrant tourism industry through advocacy, education, and promotion on behalf of our members. Tourism generated $1.9 billion for Louisiana in 2023 and is the 4th highest employer in the state. For more information, visit LouisianaTravelAssociation. org.