Once-battered New Orleans this month is “celebrating” its recovery of tourism five years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, says the city’s CVB.
“New Orleans is once again welcoming millions of visitors every year, despite the aftermath of the disaster and other challenges such as the recession, a downtown in business travel and the BP oil spill,” said the city’s CVB.
Signs of recovery:
—Last year, more than 7.5 million people visited the city — which was double the 3.7 million in 2006.
—From January to May of this year, New Orleans was the leading destination in the US in terms of revenue per hotel room — an important indicator of success in the accommodation industry
—Convention business has also picked up. In July alone, New Orleans’ tourism industry has had several sold out weekends with the famous Essence Festival, National Education Association convention and a 23,000-person national youth gathering.
Seafood from Louisiana is safe and healthy to eat, according to the CVB, despite the BP oil spill.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries opened additional areas for recreational fishing, making a total of 86 percent of Louisiana waters open to recreational fishing.
If you want further proof New Orleans is back, consider TripAdvisor’s list of the top ten urban nightlife destinations. New Orleans is at the top.
Said the site:
“With a new mission statement, ‘Soul Is Waterproof,’ New Orleans is back.”
The site added:
“The city’s walkable historic core, including Faubourg Marigny, the French Quarter, Warehouse and Arts District, Magazine Street, the Garden District, Audubon Park and Zoo and St. Charles Avenue, are flourishing anew and eager to welcome visitors once again. Whether for the jazz, the nightlife, the hopping gay scene, the food, the culture, or for that distinctive joie de vivre, it’s time to head back to the Crescent City.”
By David Wilkening
