The first 26 sites on an African American heritage trail running from New Orleans to northern Louisiana have been revealed by the Louisiana Office of Tourism.

The 26 stops on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail include plantations with details about slaves' lives and the early roots of jazz. There will also be stops chronicling the lives of famous individuals, such as the birthplace of Arna Bontemps, a leading writer in the Harlem Renaissance.

The infamous Melrose Plantation, which was built and owned and operated by a former slave, who in turn became a slave owner, will also be featured.

According to the Travel Industry Associations of America (ATIAA), there has in recent years been an increase in the demand for cultural and heritage tourism in the US.

ATIAA figures show that 81 per cent of the 146.4 million U.S. adults making a trip of 80 kilometres or more away from home in the past year included historical or cultural activities on at least one of their trips.

Other places on the trail include the Hermione Museum in Tallulah, the state capitol in Baton Rouge, the New Orleans African American Museum and the Amistad Research Center.