Latest news with #NewOrleans&Company
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New record-setting high point for New Orleans tourism since pandemic
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of New Orleans is reporting a major tourism milestone. Officials with New Orleans and Company announced that in 2024, visitation in the city exceeded the 19 million mark for only the second time in history. A study conducted by New Orleans and Company revealed, the city welcomed 19.08 million visitors in 2024, a 6.4% increase from 2023s 17.93 million visitors and close to the 19.75 million point from 2019. Additionally, the visitors spent $10.4 billion which is an 8.4% increase from 2023's $9.6 billion and 2019's high of $10.045 billion. Pikachu, 10,000 fans land in New Orleans Hotel bookings also increased by 6.4%. I consider 2024 a defining year in our mission to inspire, promote and encourage travel to our city. This kind of growth doesn't happen without implementing successful strategies across multiple sectors of visitors 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 and our strategic partners throughout the community. Our ongoing efforts to ensure that New Orleans remains the most remarkable, unique and welcoming city in the world are creating a positive impact at the local and state level. As visitor spending helps businesses and their employees thrive, they re-invest in our community and strengthen our economy. And when New Orleans' travel industry thrives, so does the state of Louisiana. Walt Leger III, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company. More than 80,000 people in the city are employees of the tourism and hospitality industry. The tax revenue paid by visitors allows 'tens of millions of dollars' to be spent on education, infrastructure and public safety for communities. The October 2024 three-night Taylor Swift Era's Tour is credited with bringing more than 150,000 visitors, bringing a 'record-setting' 32,134 passengers to the Louis Armstrong International Airport, selling out hotels, generating at least $200 million and had an economical impact of $500 million. Celebrating Friday the 13th New Orleans style Other events credited for the spike include: International WorkBoat Show The Pokémon North America International Championships Over 1,000 conventions, meetings and leisure groups The 30th Anniversary of Essence Festival of Culture Additionally, New Orleans has been ranked third in the nation as a top convention destination. 'New Orleans is a city built on hospitality, the industry that forms the foundation of our economy and fuels our quality of life. And that is what inspires our work at New Orleans & Company. Halfway into 2025, we are actively building on that positive momentum as we work every day to drive leisure and business travel to our city, for the benefit of the people who call it home,' said Orleans police celebrate new K-9 unit facility Star Equipment New record-setting high point for New Orleans tourism since pandemic Friday storms to bring chance for severe weather Karen Read murder retrial: Attorneys give closing arguments Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWE cancels WrestleMania 42 in New Orleans after announcing it as host city in February
After announcing New Orleans as the host city for WrestleMania 42 earlier this year, WWE has removed the event from the Big Easy. According to a statement from the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, the promotion is rescheduling a WrestleMania in New Orleans for a later, unspecified year. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson announced New Orleans' Caesar's Superdome as the venue for 2026 in February during a segment on WWE Friday Night SmackDown at Smoothie King Center. Advertisement New Orleans & Company head Walt Leger also noted that WWE hopes to bring other pay-per-view events to the city. Instead of WrestleMania, they will bring the Money in the Bank — which usually takes place in June or July — to New Orleans. "We've worked with them for the last several days to try to identify some future dates and future events to bring to the city," Leger said. In a joint statement with New Orleans & Company, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation said they are in talks with TKO "to expand our long-standing partnership through a multi-event, multi-year agreement which will include UFC 318 on July 19, 2025 [and] Money In The Bank in 2026." Advertisement A new venue for WrestleMania 42 has yet to be announced, as fans on social media are calling for WWE to move it to Wembley Stadium in London. WWE's premier event took place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas this year and garnered 117,380 fans in attendance across both nights. New Orleans hosted WrestleMania 34 in 2018 and had 78,240 fans. According to the Enigma Research Corporation, the pay-per-view had a $175 million impact on The Crescent City with three-quarters of the fans in attendance coming from outside New Orleans.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWE takes WrestleMania 42 from New Orleans after announcing as host city in February
After announcing New Orleans as the host city for WrestleMania 42 earlier this year, WWE has removed the event from the Big Easy. According to a statement from the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, the promotion is rescheduling a WrestleMania in New Orleans for a later, unspecified year. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson announced New Orleans' Caesar's Superdome as the venue for 2026 in February during a segment on WWR Friday Night Smackdown at Smoothie King Center. Advertisement New Orleans & Company head Walt Leger also noted that WWE hopes to bring other pay-per-view events to the city. Instead of WrestleMania, they will bring the Money in the Bank — which usually takes place in June or July — to New Orleans. "We've worked with them for the last several days to try to identify some future dates and future events to bring to the city," Leger said. In a joint statement with New Orleans & Company, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation said they are in talks with TKO "to expand our long-standing partnership through a multi-event, multi-year agreement which will include UFC 318 on July 19, 2025 [and] Money In The Bank in 2026." Advertisement A new venue for WrestleMania 42 is yet to be announced as fans on social media are calling for WWE to move it to Wembley Stadium in London. WWE's premier event was set at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas this year and garnered 117,380 fans in attendance across both nights. New Orleans hosted WrestleMania 34 in 2018 and had 78,240 fans for a gate of $14.1 million. According to the Enigma Research Corporation, the pay-per-view had a $175 million impact on The Crescent City with three-quarters of the fans in attendance coming from outside New Orleans.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How global events will affect Louisiana's tourism industry
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—Louisiana is entering a new era of tourism that will reach every bayou and small town in the state. With global events like the FIFA World Cup and the 2026 Olympics on the horizon, leaders are now seizing the moment to showcase everything our great state has to offer. Walt Leger, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company, stopped by our morning shows to discuss how tourism is evolving and how major events are contributing. $95M settlement over Siri eavesdropping claims approved: How to make a claim Leger says events like Super Bowl LIX attract thousands of people to Louisiana. 'We are competing with states and cities all over the country that have massive populations. What we know is that when people travel, they want to have variety of experiences and so we certainly want to utilize the brand that is New Orleans, to be able to attract people but we also want them to get out and experience more things,' says Leger. Although the FIFA World Cup does not have any matches in Louisiana, matches in surrounding areas like Houston and Dallas mean spectators will be traveling through our state, and this is an opportunity for Louisiana to showcase its food, culture, and hospitality. Leger says driving tourism to Louisiana means adding dollars to our local economy. 'There's about 50,000 visitors to Louisiana, a little more than that, every year. I tell people it's everyone's favorite tax dollar. Somebody else's, from somewhere else, that they leave behind here for the benefit of our community. When we work to attract people to our city and to our state, it reduces the tax burden on all of us and pays for infrastructure, education, so many of the things we need in our community,' he explains. New Orleans & Company says that by working closely with regional and national tourism groups, it is making sure that Louisiana remains top of mind for travelers worldwide, showcasing not just the Crescent City but the cultural, historic, and natural gems found throughout the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
