Dear Friends of New Orleans & Company,  

Today is a significant day for New Orleans’ tourism industry as we announce that in 2024, visitation to New Orleans exceeded the 19 million mark, crossing this important threshold for the first time since the COVID19 pandemic and for only the second time ever. For the full press release, please click here.

New Orleans & Company commissioned the 2024 MMGY Visitor Profile Summary with MMGY Global, an integrated marketing firm specializing in the travel and hospitality industries. The study revealed New Orleans welcomed 19.08 million visitors in 2024, a 6.4 percent increase from 2023’s 17.93 million visitors and near the 19.75 million high point in 2019.

Visitors to the city in 2024 spent $10.4 billion, an 8.4 percent increase over $9.6 billion in total visitor spending in 2023 and eclipsing the 2019 high point of $10.045 billion. Hotel bookings also increased by 6.4 percent last year.

As you know, this kind of growth doesn’t happen without implementing successful strategies across multiple sectors of visitation simultaneously, especially in such a competitive environment. It is a direct result of the diligent planning and innovative strategies in sales and marketing employed by the team at New Orleans & Company, its members and our strategic partners throughout the community.

We will be sharing this positive story with the media in the coming days and again as we commemorate the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in two months. We also remain diligently focused on driving immediate business by inviting locals and regional visitors to rediscover the magic of New Orleans this summer. We are bringing in new events such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship 318, Pokemon and GalaxyCon, and amplifying beloved programs like COOLinary and Museum Month.

Our Convention Sales team continues to book thousands of meetings per year forming a foundational layer of business. A team of us are headed to Chicago soon for the US Travel Association Show, IPW, to promote New Orleans to thousands of international travel buyers and journalists. We continue to receive positive media coverage about the city, including Rolling Stone naming New Orleans one of the best music cities.

And don’t forget about Louisiana Restaurant Week, featuring unforgettable meals at special prices, June 16-22. Make your plans today at neworleans.com.

Thanks for your partnership. We will talk again soon.

Walter J. Leger III
President & CEO
New Orleans & Company