The tourism industry in New Orleans is looking forward to a "healthy 2018" according to Jeff Anding, the vice president of external affairs at the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOCVB.)
Speaking at the Economic Real Estate Forecast Symposium at Loyola University, Anding said that more than a dozen hotels have opened throughout the city during the last two years
Still, he noted, the city could really use another 800-room convention hotel reported NOLA.com (The Times-Picayune.)
Although the city has seen an increase of about 3,000 rooms in the past few years-with nearly half located in the Central Business District-space can still be tight when multiple groups want to hold big events at the same time. Anding said the city works with about 70 properties, collectively, during major citywide conventions.
That number is up from 40 properties several years ago. The growth, coupled with an anticipated average daily rate (ADR) of around $149 for 2018, makes the city extremely competitive when compared to other meetings destinations like Las Vegas and Orlando.
While leisure business to New Orleans is expected to remain strong, that strength also poses challenges for the city's meetings industry. As new hotels open, for example, many are passing on traditional hotel models-ie, large meeting spaces-in favor of more public spaces like quick-serve lobby restaurants and trendy rooftop bars.
Which squeezes how much convention business the city can attract.
In his speech, Anding said that its important for the city to keep meetings as a part of the market mix. While leisure business can easily be influenced by external forces such as gasoline prices, the threat of terrorism or even weather events, convention groups typically solidify their plans years in advance, which makes them less likely to be swayed by short-term challenges.
Also fueling interest to New Orleans next year is the city's 300th birthday with a year-long schedule of red carpet events.
Additionally, New Orleans will likely benefit from additional marketing when a new IMAX film, America's Musical Journey, is released in February. The film, being produced by Brand USA, the official tourism marketing agency for the United States, in partnership with MacGillivray Freeman and Expedia, will prominently feature the city's ' jazz scene.
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