Tico Soto has opened his own firm, Tourism Tactics by Tico! Soto’s focus will be hospitality sales training, international and domestic tourism, sales relationships and product development.

In 2013, Soto returned to the New Orleans CVB from the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana CVB where he was director of sales since 1996. Soto served as international sales manager for the New Orleans CVB from 2001 to 2005.

In his role as director of tourism, Soto was responsible for guiding the sales team in prospecting for new business, identifying emerging industry trends and opportunities, and working closely with the CVB’s international offices. He also coordinated participation in trade shows and sales to international tour operators, travel agents, travel packagers, online travel agencies, and other leisure travel professionals.

Soto has completed coursework from Destination Marketing Association International to become a Certified Destination Marketing Executive. He is a past president of the Louisiana Society of Association Executives and a past member of the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association board of directors