FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Jennifer Day
504-566-5050/773-909-2514 cell
jday@neworleanscvb.com

Jennifer Lotz
504-566-5019
jlotz@neworleanscvb.com

NEW ORLEANS CVB INVITES LOCALS TO “BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN HOMETOWN”
Campaign encourages locals to rediscover New Orleans attractions and show support for hospitality industry

NEW ORLEANS – August 3, 2010 – Despite challenges created by the Gulf Coast oil clean-up process, New Orleans remains one of the fastest-growing travel destinations in the country. As the city works to communicate to the world that all things New Orleans are vibrant, ready and waiting for visitors, the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) launches this year’s “Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown” campaign. The campaign’s mission is to inspire locals to reconnect with the attractions, restaurants and hotels that set New Orleans apart from all other destinations.

“Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown” gathers and promotes coupons, special deals and discounts for dining, hotel accommodations, attraction admissions and more. For coupons and program details, Click Here.

“While the campaign has been popular in the past, in light of the oil leak disaster, there is an urgency to maintain the positive momentum our hospitality community has achieved, particularly this year, and specifically to support the local restaurateurs that make New Orleans a top culinary destination” explained Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We’re on track to have our best year since 2005 with record-breaking festival attendances, sold-out weekends and Travel + Leisure just placed New Orleans back on their Top 10 Cities in the U.S. and Canada- there’s never been a better time to get out and support our local businesses and enjoy all they have to offer.”

As part of the “Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown” campaign, the New Orleans CVB has produced posters for local merchants to display in their establishments or storefront windows celebrating the spirit of the campaign theme with artwork by local artist Robert Guthrie.

“We locals know the secret that summer is a prime time to enjoy New Orleans” said Perry. “For example, the COOLinary program, which runs from August 1-September 30, offers fixed price menus at top restaurants and is a fantastic way to show appreciation for our culinary culture and have a great meal at an incredible price. And this year the Saints will kick off their season as the Superbowl Champions in the Superdome September 9, so that weekend New Orleans will obviously be the place to celebrate.”

The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau. The New Orleans CVB is the driving catalyst for New Orleans’ largest industry – tourism - strategically leading national and international marketing, public relations and visitor services efforts that attract millions of visitors, events, conventions and festivals. Consistently recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the country, the New Orleans CVB is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2010. For more information, please visit www.neworleanscvb.com.

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