Tourism powers New Orleans' economy.

Why it matters: State and local officials are using National Travel and Tourism Week to spotlight an industry that remains one of Louisiana's biggest economic drivers, especially in New Orleans.

The big picture: Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and local tourism leaders have hosted special events this week recognizing hospitality workers, from airport transportation drivers to welcome center employees.

• The week wraps tomorrow with an event in New Orleans featuring Nungesser, Mayor Helena Moreno and Walt Leger III, president and CEO of New Orleans & Co.

By the numbers: Tourism and hospitality is the state's fourth-largest industry, per Nungesser's office.

• The sector employed 225,600 people statewide last year, including about 85,000 in New Orleans, officials say.
• Louisiana had 45 million domestic and international visitors last year, an increase from the previous year, according to the state Office of Tourism.
• They spent $19.5 billion, up $1 billion from the previous year, per research from MMGY Global.

Between the lines: 19 million visitors came to New Orleans in 2024. The 2025 numbers will be released tomorrow.

• Officials say their spending helps fund public safety, education, infrastructure and other state and city services.
• Without the visitors, "our relatively small city would not sustain a world-class culture of cities with a much larger population," New Orleans & Co. said in a statement.

Zoom in: Conferences and meetings are a "foundational layer" in the city's travel economy, officials say. They bring in more than $2 billion in direct spending annually.

• Convention attendees typically stay longer and spend more than leisure travelers, New Orleans & Co. says.
• This year, the city hosted the Democratic National Committee's spring meeting along with several large medical and health care conferences.

The bottom line: "Every visitor fuels our economy," Leger says. "Every convention supports our restaurants, attractions, musicians and culture bearers. Every cruise, train and flight arrival strengthens our community."

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Tourism leaders point to several signs of momentum for the city's travel industry.

🚂 Travel options: Amtrak's new Mardi Gras line. A bustling cruise terminal. More British Airways flights and a proposed airport expansion.

🍴 Restaurants: Michelin stars. James Beard Awards. Other recognitions in the food industry.

🏨 Hotels: Renovations at major properties, including Hilton Riverside, Omni Royal, Hilton New Orleans on St. Charles, Marriott Warehouse Arts District and JW Marriott.

• New projects include the Fairmont Hotel, Element by Marriott and the planned Omni Hotel near the convention center.

🏗️ Developments: New riverfront park. Proposed Smoothie King renovations. City Park upgrades.

🖼️ Museums: New exhibits at NOMA, National WWII Museum and the Historic New Orleans Collection.

What's next: The city's festival season is in full swing.

• Plus, New Orleans hosts the national kickoff of Sail 250 later this month, with international tall ships on public view.
• New Orleans leaders are also pitching the city as a driving destination for World Cup visitors.

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🌮 Habana Outpost closed yesterday. You know, the restaurant that fought for almost a decade to open in the French Quarter because neighbors didn't want it there? It lasted three years. (The Times-Picayune 🔒)

• Johnny Sánchez closed Tuesday, and Leni's Cafe says it will close at the end of the month after nearly 50 years in business.
• Meanwhile, we've added two more spots to our new restaurant list: Dolfy's and Daughter's Italian Restaurant. (Axios)

🎰 City Council members vote today on the proposed $103 million casino deal meant to shore up the city's emergency fund ahead of hurricane season. (Livestream)

• BGR, an independent research group, says the proposal "makes sense as a creative response to the city's fiscal crisis, but it needs safeguards." (Report)

🗳️ Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his "Make America Healthy Again" allies are targeting Sen. Bill Cassidy in next week's Republican primary. (Axios)

🤑 Winners! Louisiana has 11 new millionaires from a recent Powerball drawing. (Daily Advertiser)

📺 Lainey Wilson, a Baskin native, has a documentary on Netflix. (Trailer)

🧛🏻 The vampire Lestat, from AMC's Anne Rice spinoff, is doing a one-night-only show June 2 in New York ahead of the new season. (Facebook)

Several New Orleans authors are nominees for the 2026 James Beard Media Awards, which are like the Oscars of the food world.

• The winners will be announced June 13 in Chicago.

Zoom in: The local noms are...

• Nina Compton and Osayi Endolyn's "Kwéyòl" cookbook
• Sue Strachan's "Obituary Cocktail"
• WWNO's "Sea Change"
• Photographer Cedric Angeles for Food & Wine Magazine
• Boyce Upholt for Inc. Magazine
• Brett Martin for GQ

See the full list.