New Orleans CVB Reports Recovery Progress

October 7, 2005

New Orleans CVB Reports Recovery Progress
October 7, 2005 – The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau is reporting that the French Quarter and most of the hospitality infrastructure has survived Hurricane Katrina.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta announced Tuesday that $47 million in federal emergency funds are now available to help restore transit service to New Orleans and to expand service for the rising population in Baton Rouge. The emergency funding, which will remain available over the next 6 months, will be used by the New Orleans RTA and Baton Rouge CATS to fund bus routes and services in the two cities.

Many hotels are beginning to reopen. Friday afternoon on Canal Street, J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and CEO of Marriott International, and J. Stephen Perry, president and CEO of the NOMCVB, celebrated the raising of the flag over the JW Marriott New Orleans, signaling the hotel’s official re-opening. Marriott is one of the largest hotel operators in New Orleans with 15 hotels. Over the next few days, 6 more of those will join the JW Marriott in re-opening to welcome guests and help return tourism to New Orleans.

Many hotels will be back in operation in less than 30 days and servicing recovery workers through Dec. 31. Others will undergo repairs, updating and renovations over the next 90 days. The following is the projected reopening information for some area hotels: DoubleTree New Orleans (October 2005); Hotel Monteleone (October 2005); Holiday Inn French Quarter (November 2005); Chateau Lemoyne (November 2005); Hotel Monaco (December 2005); Maison Dupuy (January 2006); Marriott Hotels (October 2005); Omni Hotels (October 2005); Sonesta Hotels (October 2005); Hilton Hotels (October 2005); InterContinental Hotel (January 2006); Sheraton New Orleans (October 2005); W French Quarter (October 2005); W New Orleans (October 2005); Hyatt Regency (January 2007); LePavillon (Open); Le Cirque (Open with availability).

The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and the Port of New Orleans remain open. Northwest, Southwest, Continental, American and Delta are all offering limited flight service. Limited taxi cab, shuttle and rental car services are available.

The New Orleans CVB plans to move back into its headquarters at 2020 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans on Oct. 15. Until then, the Tourism Department staff can be contacted at the Baton Rouge Temporary Office at 225-342-0729, or visit http://www.neworleanscvb.com/.