FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts
Mary Beth Romig or Jenn Lotz
504-566-5019
mbromig@neworleanscvb.com
jlotz@neworleanscvb.com

      New Orleans Recognized with the 2008 Editor’s Pick Award from TravelAge West Magazine
                          New Orleans acknowledged as a best U.S. City for an Urban Vacation

NEW ORLEANS – Sept. 23, 2008 – New Orleans was honored with an Editor’s Pick Award by TravelAge West Magazine in the category of “Best U.S. City for an Urban Vacation” as part of the magazine’s WAVE (Western Agents’ Votes of Excellence) Awards.

The readers of TravelAge West recognized New Orleans among 125 companies, individuals and destinations in 47 categories of the best in cruise, tour operator, airline, hotel and resort, and destination travel fields.

“It is truly an honor to be chosen as a TravelAge West Editor’s pick city by TravelAge West’s staff,” said Kim Priez, vice president of tourism for the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (New Orleans CVB). “To be placed in such high regard among U.S. cities shows that New Orleans is truly among the best and we will continue to exemplify that through the city’s hospitality, cuisine and unique culture.”

Travel agent professionals throughout the 14 Western states and readers of TravelAge West were invited to vote on the best-of-the-best from a list of Editor’s Pick award recipients that were chosen after careful review by Editor-in-Chief Ken Shapiro and the editorial team of TravelAge West. Review methods included product analysis, on-site visits, a survey of a select group of travel agents and online research.

“At TravelAge West, we pride ourselves on our first-hand reports from the field. Our destination stories are about the on-site experience of a place and these awards are an extension of our expertise,” said Shapiro. “For each category, the editors on our staff did extensive research. All of the recipients should feel proud of their achievement.”

TravelAge West featured the New Orleans CVB in a special WAVE Awards Spotlight Issue in August 2008.

Consistently recognized as one of the top five convention and visitor bureaus in the United States, The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau 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, the Faubourg Marigny and Garden District - are thriving. In 2007 New Orleans welcomed 7.1 million visitors, nearly double the amount of visitors in 2006. For more information, visit www.neworleanscvb.com.

TravelAge West has been serving the travel industry for 39 years as a leading source of travel industry news and product information. Read by travel agents, travel suppliers and travel industry professionals, the publication has a circulation of 26,000 in 14 Western United States.

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