Hurricane tour demand in Big Easy blows other tours away
Tour demand to see the devastation of Hurricane Katrina overwhelms former popular group journeys to cemeteries and swamps, say tour officials in New Orleans.
The hurricane demolished the area almost two years ago and the hurricane tours were initially seen as controversial. No more.
“Our survival depends on it. If I quit doing the post-Katrina city tour, I’m out of business,” Isabelle Cossart of Tours by Isabelle told the AP. The $58-per-person Katrina tour now makes up three-quarters of her business.
Tour stops include the Superdome, where thousands of refugees suffered for weeks. The tour also makes a stop at the Lower 9th Ward, which is a low-lying area perhaps hardest hit by the storm.
Tourism officials have struggled with post-hurricane stress on the industry. Some downtown hotels — including the Hyatt and the Fairmont — remain closed. But the convention center and most tourist attractions are open.
The area’s premier tourist stop, the French Quarter, was almost untouched by the storm.
Kelly Schulz, spokeswoman for the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the disaster tours help convince travel agents and convention bookers that devastated areas are distant from tourism venues.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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