FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

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

New Orleans Cultural Celebrations a Success!
Recent New Orleans cultural celebrations attract 550,000 people, boosted by local attendance

NEW ORLEANS – June 14, 2007 – The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB) is pleased to share that recent cultural celebrations in New Orleans were a success, with a half a million attendees and healthy participation from locals.

  • The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival was April 26-29, 2007, and May 4-6, 2007, and according to preliminary reports, its attendance reached 375,000. With six days of world-famous music, delicious cuisine and original arts and crafts, Jazz Fest celebrated 38 years of New Orleans culture.
  • The Old Ursuline Convent’s Vatican Mosaic Studio closed June 1, 2007, with 55,000 visitors from all 50 states and eight foreign countries.
  • The New Orleans Museum of Art’s Femme, femme, femme exhibit closed June 3, 2007, with nearly 80,000 visitors.
  • According to festival organizers, the 1st Annual New Orleans Seafood Festival, the Cajun/Zydeco Festival and the Creole Tomato Festival, all taking place June 8-10, 2007, drew an estimated crowd of nearly 40,000 to the French Quarter.

Looking back on the past six months, New Orleans has made great strides in the hospitality industry with 800,000 visitors for Mardi Gras, record breaking attendance at the Jazz & Heritage Festival and French Quarter Festival, major successful citywide conventions, the Allstate Sugar Bowl, Zurich Classic and more.

For decades, visitors have flocked to the city to take part in the timeless and vibrant New Orleans experience and now it’s the city’s residents’ turn to experience the art galleries, museums, shops, boutiques, hotels, restaurants, special events and attractions unlike anywhere else in the country. Commercials featuring recording artist Lenny Kravitz, Irma Thomas, Emeril Lagasse, Drew Brees and Sidney Torres IV begain airing in May to promote the NOMCVB’s “Be A Tourist in Your Own Hometown” campaign. Coupons can be downloaded from www.touristathome.com.

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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