Nothing’s Easy In Post-Katrina New Orleans

Though we’ve reported that a number of restaurants have re-opened in New Orleans, including the world-famous Cafe Du Monde, the hotel picture isn’t quite as rosy in The Big Easy.

Smith Travel Research reported that:
• Only 24 of the city’s 266 hotels are open to the public — that translates to only 12,981 of the metro area’s 81,753 hotel rooms;

• Another 67 are being occupied by hurricane evacuees and relief workers; and
• Conventions previously scheduled for late 2005 and early 2006 are being cancelled because of fears of an insufficient number of available hotel rooms. As a result, the local tourism industry is grappling with significant financial setbacks, as both leisure and business travelers reconsider their plans. The widespread media coverage, including striking images of Hurricane Wilma from satellite, has further fueled concerns about the region’s recovery timeline. Efforts are underway to repair damaged properties and reassure potential visitors, but progress has been slower than anticipated.

But every cloud has a silver lining… The Renaissance Arts Hotel, located in the Arts District of New Orleans, has reopened and is now accepting reservations. This 217-room property, one of the few hotels in the city that sustained no damage from Hurricane Katrina, is currently housing hurricane relief workers as part of the effort to rebuild and restore New Orleans.

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