One of New Orleans famed cable cars travels Canal Street. Photo: Ed Lallo/Louisiana Seafood News
Special to Louisiana Seafood News
The Crescent City is once again a big-time winner – something tourists from around the world already know.
The City of New Orleans, along with two other winners, will be recognized in November as the winner of the 2012 World Tourism Award. The honorees were revealed at a recent press breakfast held at the Bryant Park Grill in New York City.
The annual World Tourism Award is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Begun in 1997, it was established by Reed Travel Exhibitions with American Express, and then joined by the International Herald Tribune and Corinthia Hotels.
The award recognizes extraordinary initiatives by individuals, companies, organizations, destinations and attractions for outstanding accomplishment in the travel industry.
Unforgettable Experience
Bachelorettes and bachelors from all over meet on Bourbon Street to celebrate before the big event. Photo: Ed Lallo/Louisiana Seafood News
“This is a tremendous honor for the city and testament to the more than 74,000 New Orleanians, who work in the cultural economy,” said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
“Despite all that our city has endured, the word is out that we are still one of the best and most unique destinations on the planet for a vibrant, unforgettable experience.”
The award celebrates extraordinary vision and leadership in tourism. It will be presented on November 5 at the Excel Centre on the opening day of World Travel Market in London. Each honoree will receive a Baccarat Crystal shooting star created by artist David Tisdale.
“New Orleans is honored to be singled out for its successful efforts in overcoming both Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill,” said Mark Romig, president and CEO of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, who represented the city at the press event.
“Our city has come back stronger than ever and our visitors are returning in larger numbers each year to enjoy our authentic food, music and culture.”
Freshest Seafood for the Finest Chefs
Learning of the award¸ Ewell Smith, executive director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, said: “Food and culture are an important part of tourism, both in New Orleans and Louisiana.
Delicious seafood, like BBQ Shrimp, prepared by the world’s best chefs is one reason why New Orleans is a popular tourist destination. Photo: Louisiana Seafood News
“The Louisiana Seafood family works hard to continue to provide the freshest seafood for the finest chefs in the world to serve to our visiting guests.”
Other World Tourism winners include Jorie Butler Kent, vice chairman of Abercrombie & Kent and founder/president of Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy; and Oman Sail.
All three honorees are being recognized for their commitment to sustainable tourism, contributions to tourism development, and for transforming tourism to overcome challenging times.
Mr. Simon Naudi, CEO of Corinthia Hotels, said New Orleans was chosen in recognition for “… its extraordinary success in the transformation and rebirth of the tourism industry post-Katrina and in the wake of the Deep Water Horizon oil spill, spurring new economic growth and jobs, to make tourism New Orleans’ largest industry once again.”
Buggy drivers line up to in front of Saint Louis Cathedral is in the French Quarter. The cathedral of being the oldest continuously operating cathedral in the United States. Photo: Ed Lallo/Louisiana Seafood News
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