News Summary
In a remarkable resurgence, New Orleans welcomed over 19 million visitors in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time since COVID-19. This 6.4% increase from the previous year not only reflects a thriving tourism sector but also resulted in a significant $10.4 billion in visitor spending. Key events like Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour contributed enormously to this growth, highlighting the city’s position as a top destination for both leisure and business travelers, while also reinforcing its economic resilience.
New Orleans Sees Record Tourism Recovery in 2024
New Orleans has achieved a significant milestone in tourism as it welcomed 19.08 million visitors in 2024, marking the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that visitor numbers have exceeded the historic threshold of 19 million. This represents a 6.4% increase from the previous year’s total of 17.93 million visitors. The city’s latest figures echo its pre-pandemic peak of 19.75 million visitors in 2019, showcasing a robust recovery in the tourism sector.
Visitor spending in New Orleans also saw a substantial uptick, reaching $10.4 billion in 2024, compared to $9.6 billion in 2023—an increase of 8.4%. This spending surpassed the pre-pandemic high of $10.045 billion reported in 2019, further underlining the city’s resilience and appeal as a top travel destination.
Impact on Local Economy
The significant rise in tourism has a crucial impact on the local economy, with hotel bookings increasing by 6.4% over the last year. Approximately 80,000 residents are employed in the tourism and hospitality sectors, highlighting the importance of these industries in providing jobs and stimulating economic growth in New Orleans.
Visitor tax revenues generated from this influx contribute tens of millions of dollars annually toward local education, infrastructure, and public safety, reflecting the positive broader implications of the tourism boom.
Major Events Fueling Growth
2024 was marked by several high-profile events that attracted tourists and bolstered the local economy. Among these was Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which drew more than 150,000 visitors and contributed an estimated economic impact of $500 million. The concert set a record for arrivals at Louis Armstrong International Airport with 32,134 passengers, underscoring the event’s significance in drawing visitors to the area.
In addition to the Eras Tour, New Orleans hosted the International WorkBoat Show, the Pokémon North America International Championships, and the Essence Festival of Culture’s 30th Anniversary. These events collectively played a crucial role in the significant spike in visitor numbers and spending.
Convention Destination Recognition
New Orleans also secured its position as a premier convention destination, ranking third nationally. Major conventions held throughout the year contributed over $2 billion directly to the local economy, further solidifying the city’s status as a top spot for business and leisure travel.
National and International Recognition
The city’s tourism revival was recognized nationally, as New Orleans was named one of the “Best Cities in the World to Visit in 2024” by Time Out and ranked fourth in Southern Living’s “Top 25 Best Cities in the South.” Additionally, New Orleans garnered the 2024 Best US Food Destination Travelers’ Choice Award from TripAdvisor, showcasing its culinary appeal as a driving force for tourism.
A Two-Decade Growth Journey
Over the past two decades, New Orleans has experienced remarkable growth, with visitor numbers rising from 10.1 million in 2004, along with corresponding spending that increased from $4.9 billion. The city’s tourism association, New Orleans & Company, is committed to building on this positive momentum, aiming for continued tourism and economic recovery as the city progresses into mid-2025.
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Additional Resources
- WGNO: New Orleans Tourism Record
- NewOrleans.com: Tourism Milestone
- Axios: Louisiana-Canada Travel
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans
- Google Search: New Orleans tourism
