Destinations: New Orleans!
by Jeff Grieder

article continued

It was the first weekend in December, and the streets were filled with Christmas lights and decorations. You could definitely tell that everyone was in the Holiday spirit. From the Riverwalk Shops and the Canal Shops through the French Quarter, shoppers were getting in on those early deals. And, you can also tell that the residents of New Orleans were very happy to be “Home for Holidays.”

Most of the city’s main attractions are open and ready for tourists: the Audobon Aquarium of the Americas, Creole Delicacies Cajun Cooking School, Entergy IMAX Theatre, Longue Vue House and Gardens, and of course Mardi Gras World, just to name a few (not to mention the many museums and restaurants this grand city has to offer). So, don’t you think it is time to start sending your clients back to New Orleans?

I know, I know – you have some concerns about sending your clients back to the Big Easy! And, of course, most of those concerns come from what you hear in the media. However, I have some surprising statistics that the media should, but has not, shared with the public:

• Prior to Katrina, New Orleans population was 1.5 million. Today, that number is back up to 1.3 million.
• Prior to Katrina, airline capacity – aircraft was at 162. Today, that number is back up to 132.
• Prior to Katrina, airline capacity – seats was at 20, 676. Today, that number back is up to 15,663.
• Prior to Katrina, there were 35, 000 hotel rooms available. Today, there are now 30,000 hotel rooms available.

Of course, another concern is crime. Before Katrina, there were 1,680 police officers in New Orleans. Today, there are 1,406 police officers back on the streets. Statistics were not available at press time, but crime is on the decline in the Crescent City. And, from my own experience during my visit, I never felt safer, with plenty of security and police near every corner.

So, as you can see from the statistics above, New Orleans is coming back strong. But there are some statistics that are not all that good. And this is where New Orleans needs YOUR help as travel agents! In 2004, prior to Katrina, they had 10 million visitors. In 2007, that number barely hit 4 Million. In 2004, there were 734,643 cruise passengers. In 2007, there were just over 490,000 cruise passengers. This is not because New Orleans is in bad shape – it’s because travel agents are afraid to send their clients there. Don’t be afraid any longer. Have your clients fall in love with New Orleans all over again!

Currently, Carnival Cruise Lines has the “Carnival Fantasy” sailing year-round from New Orleans. For more info, visit www.bookccl.com. Norwegian Cruise Line also has the “NCL Spirit” sailing from the Big Easy on a winter schedule. For more info, visit www.bookncl.com. For more information on New Orleans, please visit the Port of New Orleans at www.portno.com or the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.neworleanscvb.com.

Jeff Grieder -- the owner of ASAP Cruise Vacations in Houston, Texas – serves as OSSN’s Midwest Regional Manager. He’s also the director of the OSSN Houston Chapter. You may contact him at jeff@asapcruisevacations.com.