New Orleans CVB Response to USA TODAY article

December 1, 2006

Dear Guests,Welcome to New Orleans! We're Jazzed You're Here and know you will enjoy your visit in America's most authentic, culturally rich city.

You may have questions about the national media reports about crime in New Orleans. Here are the facts that visitors need to know:

• The historic areas and tourism core of New Orleans have enjoyed the reputation for being a safe place to be, and have been even more so in the months following Katrina.
• In 2006 major gatherings have brought large crowds to the city including Mardi Gras, The Jazz & Heritage Festival, Bayou Classic, reopening of the Louisiana Superdome for New Orleans Saints games, the return of cruiseships and more. Since June 2006, the city has successfully hosted over 330 conventions and meetings, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors.
• The city recently experienced some enhanced drug related violence concentrated in a couple of isolated neighborhoods miles away from the Central Business District, French Quarter, and Convention Center area. The assignment of the National Guard to patrol outlying damaged city areas will allow the NOPD to place extra attention on these inner city neighborhoods and help keep them safe as they rebuild. This will allow the NOPD to increase their patrols in the tourism areas and historic parts of the city, enhancing the already good safety record of these districts.

 

Recommendations for visitors:

• Enjoy strolling the sidewalks of the French Quarter, Warehouse District, CBD, and Garden District, taking in all New Orleans has to offer, including our delicious food, jazz music and authentic culture.

 

• Part of the charm of New Orleans is that it is a very walkable city, with many hotels, restaurants and the Convention Center all within walking distance from each other and the popular French Quarter. As is the case with any major American city, visitors should use good common sense and be mindful of their surroundings.

 

Footnote: If you have any additional questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact ExperienceNewOrleans.com at contact@neworleansweb.org.