FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Kristian Sonnier, New Orleans CVB, 504-566-5045, ksonnier@neworleanscvb.com
Lea Sinclair, NOTMC, 504-491-5330, lea@notmc.com

New Orleans Named One of the Best Big Cities in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler
More than 300,000 readers ranked New Orleans No. 5 among cities like New York and Chicago

NEW ORLEANS - (October 18, 2016) - New Orleans' acclaim as a top domestic destination continues to grow, most recently by being named the No. 5 Big City in the U.S. according to Condé Nast Traveler's Reader's Choice Awards 2016. New Orleans was ranked among other major U.S. hubs like New York, Chicago and San Francisco while placing ahead of other cultural destinations like Nashville and Portland.

In its 29th year, Condé Nast Traveler's Reader's Choice Awards is an annual readers' survey that rates destinations, hotels, airports, cruise lines and more. The awards have become so popular, drawing feedback from more than 300,000 readers, the largest engagement from users in Condé Nast Traveler's history, nearly twice as many as last year.

"Once again, New Orleans finds itself ranked high among favorite big cities in the U.S. This affirms what we've known for some time. Discriminating travelers appreciate the things that distinguish New Orleans from other American cities. Whether it's our incredible cuisine, music, unique culture or the hospitality New Orleanians show our guests, visitors to New Orleans are discovering that this place is an authentic, world-class destination," said Stephen Perry, President & CEO, New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"We are honored to be ranked in the top five with other major American cities, and we thank the readers of the Condé Nast Traveler poll." said Mark Romig, President and CEO of New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC). "These are experienced travelers who expect the highest standards and we strive to not only meet their needs but also continue surprising and delighting them here in New Orleans."

The designation as one of the "Best Big Cities in the U.S.", New Orleans' most recent accomplishment in a string of accolades including being named a "World's Best City" in the U.S. and Canada on Travel + Leisure's annual reader survey, the "Number 1 City for Food in the U.S." and "Number 2 Best City for Culture in the U.S." by Travel + Leisure and more.

Hotel Maison de Ville in New Orleans was also voted one of the Top 10 Overall Hotels in the U.S.

More information on Condé Nast Traveler's Reader's Choice Awards and a complete list of winners can be found here.

The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau is a nationally accredited, 1,100-member destination marketing organization and the largest and most successful private economic development corporation in Louisiana. The CVB and its members influence thousands of decision-makers and millions of visitors to choose New Orleans through direct sales, marketing, public relations, branding and visitor services at our New Orleans headquarters and offices in Chicago, Louisville, KY, Washington, D.C. and six foreign countries. Consistently recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the country, the New Orleans CVB celebrates its 56th anniversary in 2016. For more information, please visit www.neworleanscvb.com; www.facebook.com/neworleans; www.twitter.com/neworleanscvb; www.instagram.com/visitneworleans.

The New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation is the City of New Orleans' official leisure travel promotion agency created to foster jobs and economic growth by developing the tourism industry in New Orleans. NOTMC is publicly funded and provides year-round online marketing, advertising, public relations and special event programming in order to support the growth of leisure travel to New Orleans.

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