New Orleans News | Press

New Orleans' monthly Media Update covers the latest travel and tourism developments around town. Please email jhollings@neworleans.com to be added to our media mailing list.

What’s New in New Orleans Hospitality Industry – December 2019

NEW DEVELOPMENTS:

• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport officially opened the new 972,000 square-foot facility on November 6^th.    
  • This new, world-class terminal complex has completely replaced the former facility.
  • The $1 billion project includes in-line baggage screening, a consolidated security checkpoint to three concourses and 35 gates, a 2,200-car parking garage and more concessions options located down the concourse center aisles. 
  • Food and beverage concessions and news, gift and specialty treat retail concessions feature a mix of local brands representative of Louisiana and New Orleans as well as national brands that appeal to both the local and visiting passengers, including Shake Shack, Mondo, Leah’s Kitchen, Emeril’s Table, MoPho and more.
  • The new facility is expected to increase the airport’s economic impact by approximately 20% in the next five years and will support 64,000 jobs and $6.4 billion in local spending.
• The Sazerac House officially opened its doors to the public last month on October 2^nd. Located at the corner of Canal and Magazine Streets, less than 350 yards from the original Sazerac Coffee House, The Sazerac House offers an enriching sensory experience that embodies the city’s spirited and historic character.
  • In 2017, the Sazerac Company began work of reimaging and restoring the historic 48,000 square-foot building which was left unoccupied for more than 30 years.  
  • The interactive, high-tech experience takes visitors through a journey of the history and culture of spirits in New Orleans including the world-famous Sazerac Cocktail and Sazerac roots.
• M.S. Rau Antiques, the internationally recognized antiques dealer in the French Quarter, unveiled their multi-million-dollar new retail gallery expansion to the public last month.
  • Now, the gallery’s footprint in the French Quarter covers nearly 40,000 square feet of indoor space over three floors and four open courtyards that encompasses the entire block.

For a full list of developments, click here.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• The 6^th annual LUNA Fête, the outdoor public art show that uses New Orleans as a canvas, will begin on December 12^th running 6 – 10 p.m. nightly in Lafayette Square through December 15^th.
  • LUNA Fête will feature illuminated installations, video-mapping projections and digital sculptures featuring a roster of international, national and local artists.

• ​December in New Orleans brings Holidays New Orleans Style, a month of holiday celebrations that includes light displays, festivals, concerts and more.
  • Enjoy light displays across 25 acres of New Orleans City Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, during Celebration in the Oaks which takes place November 29^th-January 1^st, 2020.  
  • Audubon Zoo Lights will illuminate the Audubon Zoo for the second year in a row and will be on display until December 30^th.
  • NOLA ChristmasFest takes over the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for 10 days during the month of December, December 20^th-31^st, featuring an indoor ice-skating rink, carnival rides, holiday events and more.
  • In Creole tradition, restaurants across the city present Reveillon dinners during the month of December, with modern takes on the traditional nineteenth century holiday feasts. Restaurants have also added a cocktail component to the dinners, serving up holiday-themed cocktails during the season.
  • Throughout the month of December, travelers can enjoy Papa Noel Hotel Rates for hotel rooms across New Orleans as well as for bed and breakfasts.

For a full list of events, click here.

HOTELS:

• Virgin Hotels New Orleans will open their latest lifestyle hotel in the city’s Warehouse District located at 550 Baronne Street in 2021. The project officially broke ground earlier this year in May. 
• Local hospitality group Leblanc + Smith has added Hotel Chloë to their portfolio, a boutique-style hotel, featuring 15 rooms including four suites, a restaurant, a pool, pool bar and lobby bar. Hotel Chloë will be located Uptown on Saint Charles Avenue and is expected to open in early 2020.

NEW DIRECT FLIGHTS:

• Air Transat began a twice weekly nonstop service to Montréal, Canada in November 2019. The flight was extended to a year-round service before the launch.
• Frontier Airlines began a twice weekly service to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) in November 2019.
• British Airways announced a sixth frequency to London in November. The Monday-Saturday service will begin in March 2020.
• American Airlines announced a new seasonal service to Phoenix beginning on December 18^th, 2019.

MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS:

                Meetings (3,000 or more in attendance) includes:

• Diversified Business Communications International Workboat Show | December 4^th-6^th
  • 39^th year in New Orleans
  • Projected attendance: 14,000 attendees

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Media Contact
Julia Hollings
504-566-5019
jhollings@neworleans.com

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