FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Erica Papillion
New Orleans CVB
504-566-5019
epapillion@neworleanscvb.com

Mary Beth Romig
New Orleans CVB
504-566-5019
mbromig@neworleancvb.com

New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau Embarks on Mexico Sales Mission
International market interested in New Orleans; trip will include
Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism

NEW ORLEANS – Aug. 23, 2007 – To better nurture international tourism relationships and encourage Mexican travel to New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana, a representative from the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (New Orleans CVB) will travel to Monterrey and Mexico City, Mexico August 27-31, 2007.

With added representation from Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, the New Orleans CVB will go on nearly 20 sales calls with tour operators, wholesalers and media to tout New Orleans as a vibrant and exciting travel destination. This is the first sales trip to Mexico in two years and is one component of the New Orleans CVB’s international tourism outreach, which includes Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

Tourism is New Orleans’ number one industry and largest employer, with millions of visitors enjoying a city unlike any other. The resurgence of the tourism industry began in early 2006 with a strong return of Mardi Gras and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center re-opening after a multi-million-dollar renovation and the first citywide convention—the American Library Association. Progress continued in the fall with the return of cruise ships, many successful meetings including the National Association of Realtors®, and the reopening of the Louisiana Superdome, which is now considered one of the most memorable nights in NFL history.

In 2007 alone, New Orleans has safely and successfully hosted more than one million visitors for ESSENCE Music Festival, Mardi Gras, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, French Quarter Festival, major sporting events, cultural festivals, corporate meetings, large citywide conventions such as the American College of Cardiology, Risk & Insurance Management Society and more.

“International visitors are so important to New Orleans’ tourism industry,” said Kim Priez, vice president of tourism sales for the New Orleans CVB. “Our goal with these foreign sales missions is to spread the word that the New Orleans visitor experience is alive and well. This proactive outreach will hopefully result in many visitors from our neighbors to the south and all over the world.”

The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.neworleanscvb.com) is the driving force behind New Orleans’ most important industry, tourism. Today the cultural riches, sensual indulgences and unparalleled service that define the New Orleans experience continue to flourish, as they have for centuries. The most celebrated and historic core of the city – including the French Quarter, Central Business District, Warehouse and Arts District, Magazine Street and Garden District – not only remains intact, both physically and spiritually, but is thriving. The New Orleans CVB is proudly welcoming visitors and business travelers every day.

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