Tourism in the Baton Rouge area rose in 2011 and officials hope the return of riverboats and other attractions will make for an even stronger 2012.

The Advocate reports (http://bit.ly/xcDkPJ ) that the number of area hotel rooms increased by 3.6 percent in 2011 with the opening of the Indigo and Renaissance hotels as well as other properties.

Occupancy rates were also up, said Renee Areng, vice president at Visit Baton Rouge, the local convention and visitors bureau.

Hotel revenue rose 6 percent in 2011, with nearly 94,000 rooms booked, according to visitor center statistics.

Culture, shopping and cuisine are the leading reasons visitors come to Baton Rouge, officials said.

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Information from: The Advocate, http://theadvocate.com