News Summary
Shreveport-Bossier has unveiled the winners of the $100,000 Destination 318 Tourism Competition, promoting local business development in tourism. The top prize of $50,000 was awarded to Kanteen Park for their revitalization project, followed by The Noble Pedicab and Wonder Oasis. Additional awards were given to Roots, Port City Pedal Tours, and SB Rides, highlighting diverse business ideas aimed at enhancing local tourism and community engagement.
Shreveport-Bossier has announced the winners of the $100,000 Destination 318 Tourism Competition, aimed at enhancing tourism-related business development in the area. The competition, a collaborative initiative led by Visit Shreveport-Bossier and the Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program (EAP), awarded grants to six businesses selected from a total of 31 submissions. The winners were revealed after months of workshops and business pitch presentations.
The top prize of $50,000 went to Kanteen Park, which plans to revitalize a currently underutilized space in downtown Shreveport-Bossier into an open-air entertainment venue. Their project aims to create a vibrant community space that attracts both locals and tourists.
The Noble Pedicab secured the second position and received $25,000. This business focuses on providing safe and eco-friendly transportation services throughout downtown Shreveport-Bossier, enhancing accessibility and convenience for visitors.
In third place was Wonder Oasis, which has been awarded $10,000 to expand its water park concept into a year-round entertainment facility. This initiative is expected to draw families and increase foot traffic to the area year-round.
Roots, a cultural center that aims to promote local culinary, visual, and performing arts, earned $7,500 as the fourth-place winner. This center will serve as a platform for local artists and chefs, fostering cultural engagement and tourism.
Port City Pedal Tours, which offers unique guided tours on group-powered pedal vehicles combined with a gas motor, received $5,000 for their fifth-place finish. Their service is expected to provide an entertaining and interactive way to explore the city’s attractions.
Finally, SB Rides, a small guided bicycle tour service, secured $2,500 as the sixth-place winner. This venture promotes fitness while encouraging exploration of the area’s scenic routes.
A separate $2,000 People’s Choice Award was also given to Port City Pedal Tours, determined through public voting that ended on May 20, 2025. This honors the business that garnered the most community support, highlighting the importance of public engagement in local initiatives.
To prepare for participation in the competition, all applicants attended workshops that covered essential topics such as business model development, marketing strategies, and sustainable growth principles. This educational aspect ensures that winners not only receive funding but also the knowledge necessary to succeed in the competitive tourism landscape.
This initiative aims to bolster local tourism and generate job opportunities within Shreveport-Bossier, addressing critical needs in the tourism sector. The diversity of business ideas showcased in the competition has been commended for their potential to significantly enhance the area’s appeal to visitors.
The successful execution of the Destination 318 competition paves the way for its return next year as it looks to continue encouraging local entrepreneurs. The event marks a commitment to investing in innovative ideas that will contribute positively to the community and its economy.
Overall, the Destination 318 Tourism Competition demonstrates a strong collaborative effort to uplift the Shreveport-Bossier area through entrepreneurial support and community involvement. This blend of funding, education, and local engagement sets a precedent for future initiatives aimed at enhancing the region’s tourism landscape.
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport-Bossier Ideas Vie for $100K in Tourism Business Awards
- Destination 318 Selects Winners of Tourism Grant Competition
- Vote on Destination 318 Shreveport-Bossier $100K Tourism Challenge
- Shreveport-Bossier Launches Destination 318: A $100,000 Tourism Challenge
- Wikipedia: Tourism in the United States
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
