For Immediate Release – August 2025, London:

 As we solemnly remember the lives lost 20 years ago during Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, Visit New Orleans is recognising and respecting the incredible resilience, innovation and grit that it took to rebuild our beloved city and cultural economy.

New Orleans went from an all-time low of 3.7 million visitors in 2006, the year after Katrina, to a record-breaking 19 million visitors in 2019 – a number we achieved again in 2024 following COVID recovery years.

Despite experiencing one of the country’s worst natural and manmade disasters, today New Orleans stands as a top leisure and convention destination that hosts some of the most iconic events on the planet.

Key to post-Katrina recovery was the resurgence of the tourism and hospitality industry, which employs more than 80,000 people in the New Orleans area. Tax revenue paid by visitors earns the city and state tens of millions of dollars for vital services including education, infrastructure and public safety for Louisiana communities. In 2004, 10.1 million visitors spent $4.9 billion. Compare that to the nearly doubled 19.08 million visitors who spent $10.4 billion in 2024.

Walt Leger III, President and CEO of Visit New Orleans, said, “The Katrina anniversary is traumatic for us as New Orleanians as we reflect on the nearly two thousand lives lost, and the tens of thousands of people who lost their homes and everything they own.

“There was no blueprint for how to recover from a disaster of this magnitude, but persistence and determination guided our path. When some outsiders asked why we would even consider re-building or welcoming back visitors, Visit New Orleans and our partners executed one of the greatest turnaround stories in American history. We showed the world that tough times do not last, but tough people do.”

Highlights of post-Katrina innovation, growth and rebirth include:

Overcoming Unprecedented Brand Impairment

Our flooded neighbourhoods and most iconic buildings were the scene of worldwide negative media coverage for months. After cancelling $2 billion in convention business between August 2005 – 2006, Visit New Orleans led a massive multi-year global PR campaign to let people know it was ok to visit. Without visitors, meetings and events, we could not have restarted our economy.

We now use our learnings from Katrina to help other destinations rebuild their tourism industries after disaster, including wildfires in Hawaii, a typhoon in the Philippines, Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey, and Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

Awards

Among many honours New Orleans has been named:

• 2025 #2 Favourite City in the US by Travel+Leisure, moving up from the fifth spot in 2024
• 2025 Best Food City in the World by Time Out o 2024 the Most Walkable City in the World by AllClear
• 2014 one of the 20 must-see destinations in the world by National Geographic Traveler
• 2025 – For the first time ever, six New Orleans hotels made the list as One Key MICHELIN properties for demonstrating excellence in architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price, and a significant contribution to the guest experience in a particular setting. Those hotels are: Hotel Peter and Paul, The Celestine, Columns Hotel, Hotel Saint Vincent, Maison Métier and The Pontchartrain Hotel. For a full awards list, see NewOrleans.com

Train services

Monday August 18 2025 saw the launch of a new rail service, for the first time in 20 years. Beginning, the Amtrak Mardi Gras service line will connect New Orleans and Mobile, with stops in Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, Gulfport and Pascagoula. This new rail service is a significant development for regional tourism and commerce. For more information, visit www.neworleans.com/amtrak

Air services

After seeing steady growth following Hurricane Katrina, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport opened a new $1.01 billion terminal in 2019, which drastically improved the passenger experience. In 2025, for the fourth year in a row, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport was named Best Airport in North America (5 to 15 million passengers per year) by the Airports Council International World’s 2024 Airport Service Quality program.

Now, with an eye toward the future, the airport is mapping out plans for the next 20 years of growth which could include additional passenger terminal space, more efficient roadways, expanded cargo operations, an aircraft maintenance facility and more.

Restaurants / Culinary

The restaurant industry’s recovery was a powerful symbol of resilience and a testament to the spirit of New Orleans. Restaurants not only provided food to volunteers, but also became vital social hubs, contributing to the city’s cultural fabric and helping to rebuild a sense of community.

Also in the past 20 years, the James Beard Foundation has repeatedly recognized New Orleans for its contribution to America’s culinary heritage. At the James Beard Ceremony in the spring of 2006, Chef Susan Spicer and more than 20 chefs from New Orleans prepared the dishes that have made New Orleans one of the greatest culinary destinations in the world. At the 2024 James Beard Awards Jewel of the South was named Outstanding Bar and Dakar NOLA won the national award for Best New Restaurant.

Dooky Chase’s Restaurant received the 2025 James Beard America’s Classics award for being a cornerstone of Creole cuisines and Black American culture for eight decades. This prestigious award recognizes restaurants that are deeply rooted in their communities, cultures, and cuisines, and have stood the test of time. Chef/Owner the late Leah Chase, was celebrated for the restaurant’s role in hosting civil rights leaders, and for her collection of art by Black artists. Previous America’s Classics winners include Willie Mae Seaton’s Scotch House in 2005 and Dong Phuong Bakery in 2018.

In 2024 New Orleans & Company became the first city in the United States to secure and host the Americas Selection of Bocuse d’Or and Pastry World Cup. Bocuse d’Or is the most rigorous culinary competition in the world known as the ‘Olympics’ of the culinary world. The event is returning to New Orleans in the summer of 2026.

Riverfront Transformation

New Orleans is currently undergoing significant riverfront redevelopment, with two major projects transforming the area: the Riverfront for All park and the River District.

The Riverfront for All project, led by the Audubon Nature Institute, will create a continuous 2.3-mile stretch of public park space along the Mississippi River, connecting Crescent Park to Spanish Plaza. In June 2023 after a $41 million renovation the Audubon Nature Institute opened a reimagined and redesigned Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Insectarium on the New Orleans Riverfront. Audubon Insectarium relocated from its former home at the U.S. Custom House to the Aquarium building. It is the only facility in the world to house both an aquarium and an insectarium under the same roof.

The $1 billion River District, a 39-acre mixed-use neighbourhood adjacent to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Centre will feature a mixed-use environment, including offices and residential areas with affordable and workforce housing complemented with entertainment venues, cultural centres, retail, dining and public green space.

Major Investments 

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Centre (NOENMCC), the sixth largest convention facility in the country, underwent a $557 million renovation with over 1.1 million square feet of prime exhibit space to be completed in 2026. NOENMCC is also the largest convention centre to receive the Gold LEED designation.

The Caesars Superdome recently finished a $560 million renovation prior to Super Bowl LIX in February. This iconic landmark that transformed the city’s economy celebrated its 50th birthday on August 3, 2025.

Cruise services

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) announced it set a record high in March 2025 with over 165,000 cruise passenger movements – the number of cruise passengers who either board or leave a cruise ship. The record-breaking numbers topped Port NOLA’s previous high of just over 155,000 cruise passenger moves in March 2023.

This momentum comes after a record-breaking year in 2024 for Port NOLA with more than 1.2 million cruise passenger movements. New Orleans is one of the country’s most popular cruise ports with many travellers adding a pre- or post-cruise vacation.

• In 2024, Carnival Cruise line celebrated its 30th year sailing from New Orleans. Carnival continues to be the only cruise line with two ships homeported year-round in New Orleans and is moving the larger Carnival Dream back in May 2027, joining Carnival Liberty.
• Norwegian Cruise line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line have had a presence in New Orleans in the past two decades. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line brought the Escape ship this year. This ship is part of the Breakaway plus class known for their extensive entertainment offerings, and more dining options with 20 venues on the ship to choose from.
• Royal Caribbean has had multiple ships sailing from New Orleans since 2005 including Brilliance of the Seas. In 2026 Mariner of the Seas will begin sailing from New Orleans.
• American Cruise line started in New Orleans in 2018 with the American Song and now operates five vessels from the Port of New Orleans.
• Viking River Cruises started sailing from the Port of New Orleans in September 2022, bringing state-of-the-art luxury to the Mississippi River.

Hotels

Thanks in large part to new market and historic preservation tax credits, the hotel industry has undergone remarkable growth since 2005, with new brands investing in the city, and more than $1 billion in renovations. Examples include:

• The Hyatt Regency underwent a $275 million renovation, reopening in 2011 after a six-year closure. One of the largest hotels in the city, the Hyatt Regency boasts nearly 1,200 rooms.
• The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans reopened in 2006 after more than $100 million was invested in renovation efforts, including a new club level, a new restaurant called Mélange, and a new meeting area on the first floor offering 8,000 square feet.
• The Roosevelt Hotel reopened in 2009, after undergoing more than $145 million in renovations. The Roosevelt has been a staple in New Orleans, originally opening in 1893.
• Caesars Entertainment, Inc., finished a $560 million renovation prior to Super Bowl LIX, in addition to the more than $450 million spent to expand, renovate and rebrand the 450-room Harrah’s Hotel and Casino to the Caesars New Orleans, which included the opening of the Nobu Hotel in Caesars Tower. New Orleans is one of only 14 Nobu Hotels in North America, and one of 10 in the US.
• Virgin Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, opened the doors to Virgin Hotels New Orleans in 2021.
• The Four Seasons Hotel moved into the former World Trade Centre in 2021. In 2022, the hotel was accredited with an AAA Five Diamond hotel designation, the sole hotel in the state of Louisiana bestowed the honour. The designation is reserved for the top one percent of the nearly 25,000 AAA Diamond-rated lodgings countrywide.
• The Dew Drop Inn Hotel and Lounge, on Lasalle Street in Central City opened in February 2024. The boutique hotel includes 17 hotel rooms, a live music venue and a resort style pool. First opened in 1938 by Frank Painia, the Dew Drop was a hotel, music venue and barber shop. Legendary musicians played on its stage including Ray Charles, Little Richard, Deacon John and Irma Thomas.
• Hotel Henrietta opened in 2024 and became the first hotel built from the ground up on historic St. Charles Avenue in 30 years.
• One11 Hotel opened in 2020 and was the first new hotel to open in the French Quarter in 50 years.
• The Higgins Hotel, Curio by Hilton, The Official Hotel of The National WWII Museum opened in 2019. The hotel was the first in the state of Louisiana to be part of the exclusive Curio Collection by Hilton, and all proceeds generated will support the ongoing educational mission of the Museum. In 2025, the National World War II Museum celebrated its 25th anniversary and continues to be one of the most popular museums in the country.
• The Rubenstein Family, known for their legendary men’s clothing store Rubensteins on the corner of Canal Street and St. Charles Avenue, turned the upstairs of the building into a 40-room boutique hotel called the Rubenstein Hotel.
• Copper Vine underwent an expansion to evolve the brand into Copper Vine Winepub & Inn, a ‘restaurant-first’ take on a traditional bed-and-breakfast with 11 rooms and an increased restaurant floor plan for expanded dining and private events.
• Other new hotels to open since Katrina include Garden District Hotel, The Celestine, The Blackbird Hotel, Hotel St. Vincent, NOPSI, Hotel Peter and Paul, The Kimpton Hotel Fontenot and the Chloe.
• A Major New Hotel Development: On January 30, 2025, The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority approved a headquarters hotel development agreement and ground lease agreement with Omni Hotels & Resorts (Omni) to develop a 1,000-room headquarters hotel projected to be transformative for the city, region and state. These agreements allow Omni to move forward with development as owner and operator of a headquarters hotel across the street from the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Centre. Hotel design will continue throughout 2025, and construction is expected to start in 2026. The hotel is anticipated to open in 2029.

Sports Mecca

Visit New Orleans, along with the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, have bid on, been awarded and hosted major sports events in the 20 years since Katrina including:

• 2013 and 2025 NFL Super Bowl (2025 was our 11th time hosting Super Bowl, tied only with Miami)
• 2012 and 2022 NCAA Men’s Final Four
• 2013 NCAA Women’s Final Four, with 2020 cancelled due to COVID
• 2012 SEC Men’s Basketball Championship
• 2010 and 2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball 1st/2nd Rounds and Regionals
• annual Allstate Sugar Bowl and New Orleans Bowl
• 2020 College Football Playoff Championship Game
• 2008, 2014 and 2017 NBA All-Star Game
• 2014 and 2018 WrestleMania
• 2011 Bassmaster Classic
• 2015-2016 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour
• 2007 and 2008 Arena League Football Championship
• 2006 USA Volleyball Championships
• 2019 and 2024 SEC Gymnastics Championship
• UFC 318; the 2025 U.S. Gymnastics National Championships; and much more to come. New Orleans truly is Built to Host.

Meetings, Conventions and Voluntourism

We thank organisations such as Maritz Travel and the American Library Association, which were among the first to return post-Katrina, to not only boost our economy by hosting meetings and conventions here, but who gave their time to rebuild parks and libraries across our community. Their generosity kick-started the voluntourism trend that still creates a positive impact today.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace for meetings and conventions, New Orleans was named one of the top three convention destinations by Simpleview in 2024, with Meetings and conventions contributing more than $2 billion in direct spending annually. Convention attendees typically stay longer, spend more and engage more small businesses throughout the community to produce their events.

World-Class Future Flood Protection

Perhaps our best post-Katrina success metric is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ $14.5 billion Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System, one of the most technically advanced coastal flood protection systems in the world. This system of barriers, sector gates, floodwalls, floodgates and levees provide a veritable “wall” around the Greater New Orleans area.

During Hurricane Ida in 2021, the flood protection system worked as planned, and we hosted a major meeting in New Orleans two weeks later. This is vital as it instils confidence in residents, investors, visitors and customers that New Orleans is the most prepared community across the Gulf South, maybe in the nation to weather future disasters.

Notes to editors:

For more info, please visit www.neworleans.com/katrina20 or see @VisitNewOrleans and @Neworleansandco on social media.

For media enquiries, including image and video requests, please contact Karl Cushing, PR Account Manager, on Karl@ttmworld.co.uk or +44 (0)7340 589176.

For all other enquiries, please visit www.ttmworld.co.uk

ENDS

The post Visit New Orleans Touts Cultural Rebirth, Growth and Innovation 20 Years After Hurricane Katrina appeared first on TTM World.

• Visit the World Heritage Center in San Antonio – Opening in February 2025, the new World Heritage Center will serve as a gateway to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. It will provide educational opportunities and information on the history, art and culture of the community around the missions, and will be an inspirational place for San Antonio residents and visitors alike to gather.
• Birthday Celebrations for two Kings – 2025 marks Elvis Presley’s 90^th birthday and B.B. King’s 100^th The Mississippi Blues Trail features both Elvis Presley’s Birthplace Tupelo and the B.B. King Museum. Located in the heart of the Delta in Indianola, the B.B. King and Delta Interpretive Center, tells the story of B.B. King’s life and music. For visitors travelling through this region, it provides insight into the events of B.B. King’s time and explains how Mississippi became known as “The Birthplace of America’s Music”.
• Watch the Super Bowl at Caesars Superdome – New Orleans will host the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’ Super Bowl in 2025 and the city is already getting prepared. The game is scheduled to be played on 9^th February 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. It’s a great time to visit this beautiful city rich with culture and food.
• New Eateries in Downtown San Antonio – Local favourite Chef Jason Dady is opening his seventh dining concept, Mexico Ceaty, in San Antonio early 2025. This immersive dining, entertainment and shopping experience will honour the culinary history and culture of both Mexico and San Antonio.
• Mexican Food Exploration in Tucson – 2025 also marks 10-years as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy for Tucson. The city’s culinary scene has evolved from thousands of years of agricultural history, and a border that encompasses distinct Mexican and Native American traditions that led to its designation as the United States first UNESCO World City of Gastronomy in 2015, and its reputation as “America’s Best Mexican Food.”
• Stargazing in Tucson – Tucson is also known for its Dark Sky and Astro Tourism. The Headquarters of Dark Sky International (formerly known as International Dark Sky Association), in the greater Tucson area has long been a haven for stargazers and astronomers alike. Visit Flandreau Science Center & Planetarium, Steward Observatory that celebrates its 50^th Anniversary in 2025 to learn about the university’s astronomy missions and other projects.
• 25^th Anniversary of Gilmore Girls – Celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of Gilmore Girls by visiting the places that inspired the fictional town of Star’s Hollow. The towns of Washington, New Milford, Bantam and Litchfield in Connecticut along with New England’s charming Bed and Breakfast Inns served as an inspiration for the writers of the show.
• Visit Morgan’s Wonderland – San Antonio is home to Morgan’s Wonderland. The park is celebrating its 15^th Anniversary in 2025. It is the world’s first ‘ultra-accessible’ theme park, devised to make everyone feel included and bring people of all ages and abilities together. The theme park has attracted almost 3-million guests from all 50 states and more than 120 other countries since the grand opening in 2010.
• Grand Ole Opry 100 – The Grand Ole Opry is the world’s longest running live radio show and is credited for being the show that made country music famous and is turning 100 in 2025. In celebration of this iconic anniversary, the Grand Ole Opry will have more shows on their calendar than ever before in 2025, giving visitors more opportunities to see a performance live and in person all year long.
• Dollywood’s 40^th Anniversary – Dollywood Parks & Resorts marks its 40^th season in 2025. Dollywood has special events, new celebrations and several returning favourites planned to commemorate the milestone anniversary
• Ride the new Amtrak – An Amtrak passenger service along the Gulf Coast will begin service again in 2025. It will connect New Orleans, Louisiana to Mobile, Alabama with four stops in Mississippi – Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula. It will be the first time that passenger trains have rolled along the Gulf Coast in more than 18-years with the route expected to debut in Spring 2025.
• Tupelo’s Celebrations for Elvis’ Birthday – Tupelo, Mississippi, is set to honour Elvis Presley’s 90^th birthday in 2025 with the 27^th Annual Tupelo Elvis Festival, taking place from 4^th – 8^th Hosted by the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association, this vibrant festival will bring together Elvis fans from around the world to celebrate the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll in his hometown. A highlight of the festival will be the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition, where talented performers will compete for exciting prizes, including cash, a guitar, a prestigious statue trophy and more.
• Visit accessible city Mesa – The celebration of the five-year anniversary kicked off with the “Live Life Limitless” event held earlier last month and will run through April 2025, culminating with Autism Acceptance Month. In addition to autism-related programs, Visit Mesa supports a variety of initiatives aimed at improving the travel experience for all individuals with disabilities.
• Boston Public Art Triennial – From May to October 2025, the inaugural Boston Public Art Triennial will present 15 compelling commissions dotted across the city. Each visionary local, national, and international artist will produce sculptures, interactive exhibits, or performance-based and community-led activities with an emphasis on East Boston, Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan, ensuring equitable representation and access.
• Tucson Rodeo Parade – The 100^th annual Tucson Rodeo Parade will take place on 20^th February 2025. During the past 100-years, the Tucson Rodeo has become the largest outdoor winter rodeo and one of the top 25 rodeos in the United States.
• The Boston Landing Hotel – This hotel will feature 175 inspiring guest rooms with incredible views of downtown Boston and the Charles River, as well as a restaurant, bar and meeting space for groups. The hotel will be within steps of a Boston Landing Commuter Rail stop as well as an assortment of restaurants and retail on the doorstep.
• New Lake Estate in New Hampshire – Experience the serenity of lakeside living along the quiet ambience of the calm waters of Lake Winnisquam. The Lake Estate on Winnisquam is a new resort property and a modern reincarnation of the splendour assured at the grand dame resorts of New Hampshire popular with the Gilded Age families of the last century. The property will include beautiful landscapes, a full spa, a choice of restaurants and luxurious rooms.
• New Hotel in Connecticut, New England – Opening early 2025, Belden House in Litchfield, Connecticut is a two-acre estate being transformed into a 31-room house hotel and mews. Amenities include dining and wellness services, a seasonal pool, plus lawn games.
• Doris Duke Theatre, Massachusetts – Jacob’s Pillow is excited to announce new building plans for the reimagined Doris Duke Theatre that is set to open its doors in 2025. The new design creates year-round space of approximately 20,000 sq. ft and the new building includes state-of-the-art technology and a second indoor space for programming.
• New flight from Edinburgh to Boston – JetBlue has announced the launch of a new flight route from the Scottish capital to ‘America’s Walking City’ in May 2025
• Visit Graceland to celebrate Elvis’ 90^th – Fans from around the world will gather at Graceland, in Memphis early January to celebrate Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday. Elvis achieved legendary status, leaving a legacy that still resonates, and Elvis’ 90^th Birthday Celebrations will include live concerts, panels, special tours, and much more!
• New flight from Dublin to Nashville – Exciting news for Tennessee as Aer Lingus announced their first direct Irish route to Nashville from Dublin, launching in April 2025.
• 250th Anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord – 19^th April 2025 marks the first battle of the Revolutionary War in Massachusetts as part of their MA250. The first shots of the American Revolution would lead to the birth of a new nation. As John Adams said, the Battle of Lexington “changed the instruments of warfare from the pen to the sword.”
• Weidmann’s 155th Anniversary – Mississippi’s longest operating restaurant, Weidmann’s, will celebrate its 155th anniversary in 2025, marking over a century and a half of culinary tradition and Southern hospitality. Established in 1870, Weidmann’s became a time-honoured establishment for locals and visitors alike, known for its signature dishes blending traditional Southern flavours with contemporary flair.
• 40^th Annual Balloon Festival in Natchez – Established in 1986, the Natchez Balloon Festival is an annual fall tradition during October that paints the sky with a kaleidoscope of colour, featuring vibrant hot air balloon displays and a host of family-friendly activities. Rosalie Mansion begins the festival with a sunrise balloon flight along the banks of the Mississippi River, accompanied by arts and crafts vendors and a variety of Mississippi’s delicious local cuisine.

And finally a Lagniappe (A Louisiana custom to always serve something additional) 

 Celebrate the Year of Food in Louisiana – Year of Food in 2025 will celebrate Louisiana’s food culture including the flavours and traditions that make Louisiana a food lover’s paradise. It highlights the regional food trails, restaurants and culinary experiences in Louisiana. 

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