Tourism / Hospitality / Entertainment
Greater New Orleans’ unique cultural attractions, large-scale celebrations and sporting events, and its unparalleled food and culture have long made it a leader in lodging and entertainment.
The hotel and entertainment industries in the Greater New Orleans region are economic drivers of growth, and provide employment to approximately 10 percent of the workforce.
Over 7.5 million visitors traveled to New Orleans during 2008. That’s up from an estimated 6.8 million in 2007. Visitation in 2004, the year before Katrina, reached about 10 million.
The metropolitan area now has about 34,700 of 38,000 hotel rooms available and $400 million have been spent on hotel upgrades and renovations in the metro New Orleans area. There are 1,032 restaurants open in the metropolitan area, and more restaurants open in New Orleans today than ever before. In 2006, restaurants generated $4.8 billion in direct sales.
New Orleans’ favorite attractions include Harrah’s Casino, the Audubon Zoo, Aquarium and IMAX theater, Mardi Gras World, Café Du Monde, paddlewheel cruises on the Mississippi River, carriage rides through the French Quarter and CBD, ferry rides across the Mississippi River, the Steamboat Natchez and the Creole Queen, plantation, swamp and specialty tours, nightclubs and music venues.
New Orleans’ newet attractions include: The Southern Food and Beverage Museum, Museum of the American Cocktail, The Audubon Insectarium, Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World, Lakewood Golf Course, and the newly renovated Roosevelt Hotel.
Greater New Orleans has experienced a strong return of conventions and meetings, as well as the return of large-scale attractions such as the Sugar Bowl, the Essence Festival, Jazz Fest, Mardi Gras, the 2008 NBA All Star Game and the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament. New Orleans also looks forward to the return of the Super Bowl in 2013.
New Orleans has received many honors celebrating its hospitality, including:
– MSN travel named New Orleans one of the 15 Coolest North American Cities. (January, 2009)
– New Orleans was voted #1 destination in the world for Nightlife in TripAdvisors annual Traveler’s Choice Awards. (May, 2010)
– Orbitz described New Orleans as an “in” location for experience seeking vacationers. (December, 2006)
– Travel + Leisure Magazine includes New Orleans in its “World’s Craziest Party Towns” feature. (March, 2009)
– Priceline named New Orleans the #1 July 4th destination. (June, 2009)
Local convention and visitors bureaus and offices of tourism
Jefferson Parish (Visit Jefferson Parish)
New Orleans CVB
Plaquemines Parish Economic Development & Tourism
St. Bernard Parish
St. Charles Parish
St. James Parish Tourism
St. John the Baptist Parish
St. Tammany Parish Tourist Commission
Tangipahoa Parish CVB
Washington Parish Tourist Commission
