Introduction to the New Orleans Tourism Industry
Before Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005 New Orleans, Louisiana boasted a thriving tourism industry. Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. Thousands of lives were lost and businesses and homes vanished overnight. So did the tourism industry. This paper will discuss the New Orleans tourism industry before and after Hurricane Katrina. It will analyze the economic impact of the hurricane on employment, housing and healthcare in the area, which all directly affects the tourism industry. It will also discuss the rebuilding the city and revamping the tourism industry.
Before Hurricane Katrina
Prior to August 2005, tourism in New Orleans was a $5 – 8 billion dollar industry. Tourism was the biggest source of revenue in the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. In 2004 New Orleans drew more than 10 million visitors according to the Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau. “New Orleans employed more than 84,000 people in the tourism industry and annually took in $5 billion, half of the state's tourism total.” (Thomaselli)
The New Orleans tourism industry has many economic drivers, among them, Mardi Gras, sports, gaming and music. “Noted as the city is for jazz, Cajun and Creole cooking, and the French Quarter, Mardi Gras eclipses all as New Orleans’ most famous centerpiece. It has arguably the greatest economic and cultural impact of any event in the city.” (http://www.neworleanscvb.com)
“New Orleans has hosted more major sporting events across a huge spectrum of categories than any other destination: a record nine Super Bowls, some of the greatest NCAA finals and championships, t ...