Starting today the United States opens its borders and airports to international travel.
After almost two years being sequestered under the pandemic, the U.S. can again welcome visitors from other parts of the world, as long as they are vaccinated.
For New Orleans it’s the first major step toward restoring the travel industry which the city depends on so much.
WWL First News spoke with Kelly Schulz, the Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Relations for New Orleans and Company, the city’s tourism arm.
“For us this means tens of thousands of visitors every year that we’ve not had so we’re very much looking forward to November 8th, which is going to be a very good day for New Orleans and the entire United States travel industry.”
Schulz says this is just the beginning for the city’s long awaited recovery.
“Our biggest markets for international travelers are typically from Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Germany. This is a group of visitors we have not had in our city, we’ve really missed them and we are really excited to have them back.”
Though tourism took a bigger than average hit during the pandemic, and the city lost a handful of favorite restaurants and lounges frequented by tourists, it didn’t exactly roll of the streets and go home.
New Orleans and Company coordinated a visitor campaign based on travelers a day’s drive or less from New Orleans to come and enjoy what the city still had open and welcoming vacationers.
But the big times are back and international travelers are used to a certain level of service and comfort.
Is New Orleans up to the task?
Schulz responds: “We have been working to staff up the city, but when it comes to hosting international travelers and understanding people that have different languages, and are coming from different cultures, New Orleanians are very hospitable and accustomed to hosting those international visitors.”
Looking back on the recent past, Schulz says everybody is ready for the business of international travel and hospitality to get back to normal.
“We had a very successful Halloween weekend, with occupancy at 90% at many of our hotels. We have COVID numbers going in the right direction, so the mask mandate was lifted. And hospitalizations are at an all-time low in Louisiana for COVID right now.”
Things are looking up for New Orleans and will only continue to improve for the time being.
