Associated Press
AP
NEW ORLEANS —
Although New Orleans is aiming for a diversified economy as it continues its recovery from Hurricane Katrina, the city isn’t there yet.
Economic development officials say that, in the meantime, tourism remains the big driver for the city.
According to the New Orleans tourism agency, the city had 7.5 million visitors in 2009, compared to a typical pre-storm year of 8.5 million. Smith Travel Research says hotel occupancy January through May was up 13.1 percent from the previous year and rates were up 2.3 percent in the French Quarter and central business district.
Attendance at one of the city’s biggest attractions — the Aquarium of the Americas — has rebounded to about 80 percent of its pre-storm average.
