More people came to New Orleans in recent months than experts anticipated. That's good news for the industry, the economy and agencies that get funds from lodging taxes.
Mardi Gras was good for New Orleans' major sports venues: hotel taxes helped push the Superdome and Smoothie King Center past budget expectations so far this year.
"Very pleased, the last two months, the hotel taxes over performed compared to our budget," said Superdome executive Doug Thornton.
Thornton says it was $300,000 above their budget, building on another $300,000 better-than-budget performance from the previous month, and another sign that New Orleans' tourism industry continues to grow.
Evan Holmes with ASM Global, the managing company for the Superdome and Smoothie King Center, says they have also been successful making money on their own during events they host.
"I think just as importantly, we're tracking very positively on the self-generated revenue," said Holmes.
