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NEW ORLEANS—The Crescent City is promoting its 150th Annual Mardi Gras celebration, which begins on Feb. 17, as a sign this great American city is well on the way to regaining its status as a prime destination for tourists and meeting attendees.        

Once tourism bounces back, the business and association meeting planners will follow, says Dean P. Andrews, vice president, Orient-Express Hotels, Trains & Cruises, owners of the Windsor Court in downtown New Orleans.

While some neighborhoods that sustained considerable damage from hurricane Katrina are still undergoing restoration, the areas most frequented by visitorsThe French Quarter, the Downtown District, the Arts and Entertainment District, and the Garden Districtare up and running and redolent with the vibrant atmosphere New Orleans is known for. More than 28,000 hotel rooms are currently available in the metropolitan area, and nearly 1,000 restaurants are opened.

The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has undergone extensive refurbishing, including installation of $6.8 million of new carpet. Smaller meetings have been held throughout the city since the beginning of this year and the convention center will host larger meetings beginning in March. The American Library Association, with 22,000 attendees, will hold its annual event there in June. The parts of the city attendees visit are up and running and we have the infrastructure and services to meet their needs, says Carl Lauto, Convention Sales Manager, The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau.

According to Lauto, meeting planner interest in the city remains strong throughout next year. He adds, the business and meeting planner community has shown strong interest. It seems almost patriotic to them to book in New Orleans so they can be part of the rebirth of the city.