Tourism Biz

  There is no precedent for the current state of the world and the impact of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Many of us feel we are grasping at straws to know where to begin in the “new normal.” We’ve…

  When the world is in crisis, it’s easy to give in to the feelings of anxiety and fear. Sometimes you need to, maybe for 30 minutes, before you pull yourself back out of that place and refocus on moving…

  Cases of coronavirus, or COVID-19, are now in every state in the U.S., and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the number of cases will continue to increase. On Monday, March 16, Louisiana Gov. John Bel…

  On Monday, the city of New Orleans declared its first presumed case of coronavirus, or COVID-19. There are now at least three such cases in the city being treated at three different hospitals. On Tuesday night, the state of…

Communicable diseases bring a certain dread to those who work in the tourism and hospitality industry. Since news of Coronavirus, or Covid-19, first made headlines, those who are responsible for the health and safety of travelers and conveners have been…

When people travel, they are wise to look for cultural gems off the beaten path. That is especially true for New Orleans and the larger metro region. Ask most locals what they do on a Friday night, and few would…

  Who else is spending 80 percent of their day with Al “Carnival Time” Johnson in their heads? It can’t be just me who constantly hears the staccato eighth notes of the horns and piano in the song’s opening? Washing…

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) has welcomed German airline Condor Airlines for seasonal summer flights to Frankfurt, Germany since 2017. The direct flights have been popular and were a boon to New Orleans positioning itself as an international…

The lineup for the 37th Annual French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron has been announced and will draw hundreds of thousands of people to the French Quarter April 16-19. The event is the largest free festival that celebrates Louisiana music…

It’s a new year, and surely after four weeks of resolutions you are a new you, right? As for me, I have meditated six times and done yoga once, so I’m saying I’m absolutely a new person. But maybe your…

Six years ago, Outlet Collection at Riverwalk became a downtown destination for first-to-market outlet shopping, as well as a popular lunch spot for locals working nearby. Since then, it has welcomed more than 18 million shoppers and touts more than $500…

  When you write about tourism in New Orleans, a wonderful perk of the job is you often get to bring your family with you as you explore the city. Such was the case when my family and I made…

  Would you go on a date at an airport? Or spend some alone time shopping and dining there? Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) believes there is a demand for such visits, and today it launches its new…

  It is the day before Thanksgiving, and how many of us are feeling completely calm and relaxed right now? In reality, many of us are reading this on our phones waiting to board a plan, in the guest room…

Something we do particularly well in New Orleans is party with a purpose. Our festivals draw visitors from across the country to join us in celebrating our culture and raising money for worthy charitable projects. One example of such is…

The time has finally come. After nearly four years of construction, the new $1 billion terminal at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is opening Wednesday, Nov. 6. All commercial flights will use the new terminal at 1 Terminal…

A month ago, while working on my column for the November issue of Biz New Orleans, I wrote, “We just can’t seem to stop building hotels.” A week ago, as news of the Hard Rock Hotel collapse began to spread,…

  When a city has over 300 years of history, it earns a patina of spookiness even in the brightest sunlight. As I finished that sentence and paused to consider the next, a dish in my sink just shifted against…

We’ve finally had a reprieve from the oppressive heat, and we can actually enjoy spending time outside. This weekend, celebrate fall with the family at the annual Gentilly Fest at Pontchartrain Park Oct. 11-13. Since 2007, Gentilly Fest has shined…

While most people in the Greater New Orleans region are losing sleep and fretting about when Drew Brees will heal enough to play again, travel writers are pulling their hair out waiting for an announcement from Louis Armstrong International New…

  For many people, the only way they can travel is by reading books. Affordability, time off from work, family size, illness and physical accessibility are just a few of the barriers that keep people close to home. I was…

  The hospitality industry is known as a sector where you start at the bottom and work your way up. The dishwasher earns her spot at food prep and tries to impress chef to get promoted to the salad station.…

  For most Americans, the first time we see a musical is on a television screen. Maybe it is a classic like “Singing in the Rain,” or maybe it is one of the new Disney live action versions of an…

  There are few things as terrifying as going to the doctor when you work in the hospitality industry. The office visit and maybe lab fees, the possible prescription and the unpaid time off of work all have the ability…