Mardi Gras gives New Orleans' Tourism Boost

Friday, February 24, 2006

Just six months after Hurricane Katrina devistated New Orleans, the parades, floats, beads, music and celebrations of Mardi Gras are giving New Orleans tourism a much needed boost.

Although estimated only 60 to 70 percent of the normal crowds will attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans this year, this is significant after the major devistation the city suffered when a category 4 hurricane hit it on August 29, 2005, damaging levies, and causing widespread major flooding that was responsible for the deaths of more than 2000 people.

Hospitality and Tourism is the major industy in New Orleans, with Mardi Gras playing an important role in the local economy.

"For us Mardi Gras will be a little bit smaller than prior years. But the way everybody is looking at it here, it's sort of the community planting the flag in the ground saying 'We're back,'" said Stephen Perry, president of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Many of the New Orleans' attractions are back open for business including Harrah's Casino, and the Audubon Zoo, while others will be opening in early spring or summer.

Mardi Gras normally brings in about $300 million dollars for the city of New Orleans, and even in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Mardi Gras expected to bring in around $200 million dollars this year.