2015 New Orleans Area Visitor Profile Annual Report

Annual Report
2015 New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
Annual Report
Prepared for
New Orleans Convention and Visitors
Bureau, Inc.
And
New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation
By
March 2016
Annual Report - 2015
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
Acknowledgments
This report was prepared by Maria J. Ortiz, Project Manager in the Hospitality Research Center
(HRC) at the University of New Orleans (UNO). Special recognition is given to John A. Williams,
Ph.D., Dean of the College of Business Administration, and Director of the Hospitality Research
Center, for his valuable contribution to this project.
Gratitude goes to Harsha E. Chacko, Ph.D., Professor of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism, and
Mavis Early, Executive Director of the Greater New Orleans Hotel and Lodging Association, and
its member hotels for their collaboration.
Thanks and recognition is given to Reese Templet and Rosine PEMA SANGA, Student Research
Assistants in the Division of Business and Economic Research (DBER), for their valuable assistance
in preparing this document. Further thanks also go to Heidi Charters, Research Analyst and Karen
Brakel, Project and Budget Coordinator, in the Division of Business and Economic Research, for
their contribution to this study. The efforts of the intercept surveyors, Devonne LaSavia, Cathy
Brownlee, Lyndel Brauninger, Janel Cimo, and Michelle Illidge are also noted with much
gratitude.
Appreciation is also extended to J. Stephen Perry, Kim Priez, and their staff at the New Orleans
Convention and Visitors Bureau (NOCVB), and to Mark Romig and his staff at the New Orleans
Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC) for their financial support to this project. Gratitude
goes to Jeremy Cooker, staff member of the NOTMC, and Brian Walker at the NOCVB for
providing assistance throughout the data collection process.
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New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ............................................................................................................... 5
Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 12
Methodology....................................................................................................................... 12
Visitor Profile ...................................................................................................................... 15
Residency Questions ......................................................................................................... 15
Stay-Specific Questions .................................................................................................... 20
Activity/Satisfaction Questions ........................................................................................ 36
Demographic Questions ................................................................................................... 40
Importance/Performance Indicators ................................................................................ 44
Open-Ended Responses .................................................................................................... 46
Total Visitation and Spending .............................................................................................. 47
Total Number of Visitors .................................................................................................. 47
Total Visitor Expenditures ................................................................................................ 47
Average Visitor Spending by Type of Accommodation .................................................... 48
Historical Data .................................................................................................................. 50
Appendix A: Open-Ended Responses Analysis ...................................................................... 52
Appendix B: International Visitors ....................................................................................... 63
Appendix C: Visitation by Designated Market Area (DMA) ................................................... 66
Appendix D: Activities Participated in While Visiting the New Orleans Area ......................... 68
Appendix E: Definitions of Key Terms .................................................................................. 84
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List of Tables
Table 1: State of Residence for Domestic Visitors ........................................................................ 15
Table 2: State of Residence for Overnight Visitors ....................................................................... 16
Table 3: Top 10 States of Residency for Overnight Visitors by Purpose....................................... 17
Table 4: Top 10 States of Residency for Hotel Visitors by Purpose .............................................. 18
Table 5: First Visit to New Orleans ................................................................................................ 23
Table 6: Overnight in New Orleans ............................................................................................... 24
Table 7: Number of Nights in New Orleans .................................................................................. 24
Table 8: Source of Hotel Reservation ........................................................................................... 26
Table 9: Nightly Room Rate - Hotel............................................................................................... 27
Table 10: Nightly Rate - Other Accommodations ......................................................................... 27
Table 11: Number of People in Hotel Room ................................................................................. 28
Table 12: Number of People in Other Accommodations ............................................................. 28
Table 13: Number of Hotel Rooms ............................................................................................... 28
Table 14: Number of People per Travel Party .............................................................................. 29
Table 15: Number of Adults per Travel Party ............................................................................... 30
Table 16: Children in Travel Party ................................................................................................. 30
Table 17: Number of Children Under 18....................................................................................... 31
Table 18: New Orleans Morial Convention Center Visitation ...................................................... 31
Table 19: Extend Trip for Pleasure ................................................................................................ 32
Table 20: Number of Additional Nights in New Orleans .............................................................. 32
Table 21: Number of Nights in New Orleans Before or After a Cruise ......................................... 33
Table 22: Likelihood to Recommend New Orleans as Destination .............................................. 36
Table 23: Respondents With Children Living in Their Households ............................................... 41
Table 24: Retired Respondents ..................................................................................................... 41
Table 25: LGBT Respondents ........................................................................................................ 41
Table 26: Important/Performance Indicators............................................................................... 44
Table 27: Total Visitor Spending ................................................................................................... 47
Table 28: Individual Expenditures of Overnight Visitors - Hotel................................................... 48
Table 29: Individual Expenditures of Overnight Visitors - Friends or Relatives ............................ 48
Table 30: Individual Expenditures of Overnight Visitors - Other Accommodations ..................... 49
Table 31: Individual Expenditures of Daytrippers......................................................................... 49
Table 32: Number of Visitors - 2006 to 2015................................................................................ 50
Table 33: Visitor Expenditures - 2006 to 2015 ............................................................................. 50
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List of Figures
Figure 1: Quarter of Visit............................................................................................................... 20
Figure 2: Primary Purpose of Visit ................................................................................................ 21
Figure 3: Primary Purpose of Visit (Expanded) ............................................................................. 22
Figure 4: Primary Purpose of Visit by Type of Accommodation ................................................... 23
Figure 5: Visitor Accommodations - Overnight............................................................................. 25
Figure 6: Visitor Accommodations - Overnight and Daytrip ......................................................... 26
Figure 7: Number of People per Travel Party by Type of Accommodation.................................. 29
Figure 8: Mode of Transportation to New Orleans ...................................................................... 34
Figure 9: Primary Source of Information ...................................................................................... 35
Figure 10: Activities Participated in While in the New Orleans Area: All Visitors ........................ 37
Figure 11: Activities Participated in While in New Orleans: With vs. Without Children .............. 38
Figure 12: Activities Participated in While in New Orleans: First Time vs. Repeat Visitor ........... 39
Figure 13: Marital Status of Respondents .................................................................................... 40
Figure 14: Age of Respondents ..................................................................................................... 42
Figure 15: Household Annual Income of Respondents ................................................................ 43
Figure 16: Importance/Performance Indicators ........................................................................... 45
Figure 17: Visitation and Spending ............................................................................................... 51
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Executive Summary
Residency Questions

Visitation from Louisiana, outside the New Orleans Metro Area, and Texas were tied as the
top feeder markets for New Orleans at 12.7% each. The percentage of Louisiana visitors
returned to similar levels to those seen in years prior to 2014. The next most popular states
of origin were California (6.5%), Florida (6.2%), and Mississippi (5.1%).

When considering overnight visitation only, the top feeder markets were Texas (13.8%),
California (7.6%), Louisiana, outside the New Orleans Metro Area (6.7%), and Florida (6.6%).

The greatest percentage of vacation and pleasure visitors who stayed overnight came from
Texas (16.0%), California (7.8%), and Louisiana, outside New Orleans (7.6%).

Association, convention, trade show, and corporate meeting overnight visitors were most
frequently from California (7.7%), Pennsylvania (5.8%), and Illinois (5.4%).

Overnight visitors who stayed overnight in the area for general business originated more
often from Texas (8.4%) and Florida (7.0%).

Most of the hotel stayers who were in the city for vacation and pleasure purposes came from
Texas (13.6%) and California (9.7%). Visitation from California had a substantial increase from
figures recorded in prior years.

Association, convention, trade show, and corporate meeting hotel visitors originated more
often from California (7.1%) and Pennsylvania (6.3%).

Similar to last year, hotel stayers who came for general business were most frequently from
Texas (6.5%), Florida (6.4%), and California (6.2%).
Stay-Specific Questions

During 2015, most visitors surveyed were in the New Orleans area during the second quarter
of the year (31.5%), followed by the first quarter (25.7%).

The overwhelming majority (76.7%) of visitors surveyed were in the New Orleans area for
vacation and pleasure purposes. The proportion of association, convention, trade show, and
corporate meeting for was 13.1%, while visitors in town for general business comprised 10.2%
of the total visitation.

When considering a detailed primary purpose of visit, 24.2% of visitors came to New Orleans
for other vacation and pleasure purposes, while 17.2% came to the city to visit friends or
relatives. Another 11.7% of visitors came to the city for association, convention, or trade
show purposes, while 11.1% were in town for other sporting events.
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
Once primary purpose of visit was analyzed by type of accommodation, over half (59.0%) of
hotel visitors came to New Orleans for vacation and pleasure purposes. Another 23.9% of
hotel stayers were in the city for an association, convention, trade show, or corporate
meeting. Nearly all the visitors who did not stay in hotels came to the city for vacation or
leisure purposes, including those who stayed with friends or relatives (94.3%), in other
accommodations (97.1%), or those who stayed just for the day (94.3%).

Similar to last year, 37.1% of respondents were first-time visitors to New Orleans. The
decrease in this figure compared to prior years indicates that New Orleans is successfully
attracting repeat visitation.

The fraction of overnight visitors in the New Orleans area decreased in 2015 to 82.0%, while
the proportion of respondents visiting just for the day increased to 18.0%. The percentage of
daytrippers in the area represented the highest figure since 2010.

Overnight visitors stayed in New Orleans for an average of 4.2 nights. This figure represented
a slight increase over last year’s estimate (4.1).

The proportion of overnight visitors staying in a hotel was 60.4% during 2015. The fraction of
overnight visitors staying with friends or relatives increased to 30.0%, while the proportion
of visitors who stayed in other accommodations was 9.6%. The lodging arrangements among
overnight visitors remained virtually unchanged from last year’s estimates.

Among all visitors to the area, including overnight and daytrip, nearly half (49.5%) stayed in
hotels. Another 24.6% of visitors stayed with friends or relatives, while 7.9% stayed in other
accommodations. The number of people coming in just for the day represented 18.0% of all
visitors.

Most visitors who stayed in hotels made their reservations through a travel agent (26.0%),
the hotel website (26.0%), or through a travel website (20.9%). The proportion of visitors
relying on travel agents for their hotel reservations has increased over the last few years.

The average daily hotel room rate reported by overnight visitors was $165, an increase of 2%
compared to the average rate recorded in 2014 ($162). The nightly hotel room rate in the
area has grown at an average of 3% annually over the last five years

Visitors who stayed overnight in other paid accommodations, such as bed and breakfasts,
reported paying an average nightly rate of $123. This figure represented an increase of 3%
over 2014 estimates ($120).

Overnight visitors who stayed in a hotel had an average of 2.2 people per room.

Visitors who stayed overnight in other paid accommodations had an average of 3.0 people
per accommodation.

The average number of rooms occupied by each visitor party who stayed in a hotel increased
to 1.9 from 1.6 in 2014.
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
In 2015, the average party size of visitors to the New Orleans area was 3.1, a slight increase
over 2014 estimates (3.0)

When the average party size was analyzed by type of accommodation, hotel visitor parties
were comprised of 3.1 people. Visitors who stayed with friends or relatives had an average
party size of 2.9, while parties who stayed in other accommodations traveled in parties made
up of 3.4 people. Visitors who stayed just for the day also had an average party size of 3.4.

The average number of adults per travel party remained at 2.7.

In 2015, 24.7% of all visitor parties had children under the age of 18 accompanying them on
their trip to New Orleans. This figure has substantially increased since 2010.

Of the visitors who brought children on their trip to New Orleans, about half (42.4%) brought
one child. The average number of children per party was 2.3.

Similar to last year, about half (44.1%) of the business or convention visitors to the area
reported attending activities at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.

Just over half (56.2%) of the business and convention visitors to the New Orleans area
extended their stay for vacation or pleasure purposes.

Visitors who came for business or convention purposes and extended their stay for pleasure
spent an average of 2.2 additional nights in the New Orleans area.

Cruise visitors comprised about 1.5% of the total number of responses. Of these visitors,
83.5% indicated they spent one or more nights in New Orleans either before or after their
cruise. The average number of nights cruise visitors stayed in New Orleans was 2.2.

Most visitors who were surveyed arrived in New Orleans either in their personal vehicles
(47.8%) or by airplane (46.2%).

27.9% of visitors indicated that they just knew about New Orleans when asked about their
primary source of information used in making their decision to come to the area. Other
sources include convention (20.8%), the internet (16.6%), friends (10.0%), and family (9.2%).
Activity/Satisfaction Questions

Respondents indicated their likelihood to recommend New Orleans as a destination using a
ten point scale (0=Not at all likely to 10=Extremely likely). In 2015, the average likelihood to
recommend New Orleans was 8.5, while the median was 9.

When the results of likelihood to recommend were analyzed using the Net Promoter Score
(NPS) model, a customer loyalty metric, New Orleans had a score of 50.0%. Scores of 50% and
above are considered satisfactory.

94.2% of respondents reported visiting the French Quarter, while 80.1% particularly visited
Bourbon Street. Another 82.3% shopped while in the city. 81.5% of visitors reported eating
in casual dining restaurants, while 41.5% reported eating in fine dining establishments.
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
The behavior of visitors traveling with and without children varied widely, depending on the
type of activity. The aquarium, fine dining, and music activities had the largest difference in
visitation for parties traveling with versus without children.

First time visitors were more likely than repeat visitors to participate in those activities that
are considered typical “tourist” activities. The largest difference for first time versus repeat
visitors include Bourbon Street, cemeteries, and city tour activities.
Demographic Questions

Similar to previous years, the majority of respondents were married or living with a partner
(72.1%). Single respondents accounted for 17.2% of the total visitation, while 10.7% of the
respondents were divorced, widowed, or separated.

In 2015, there was a slight increase in respondents who reported having children under the
age of 18 living in their household (22.8%).

A larger fraction of respondents were retired (21.3%). The figure reported in 2015 represents
the highest percentage of retirees since 2010.

4.1% of respondents identified themselves to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender.

The most frequent age group among respondents was 50-64 years old (36.1%), followed by
35-49 years old (29.8%). During 2015, the percentage of respondents in the 25-34 years old
group represented the lowest figure since 2010 at 15.3%, while the 65 years or older group
had the largest proportion in the last six years (14.6%).

Similar to previous years, the largest fraction of visitors surveyed had a household annual
income between $100,000 and $149,999 (24.2%). The percentage of visitors with an income
of under $25,000 continued to decrease, while the proportion of visitors with an income of
$200,000 and over reached the highest figure since 2012 (10.4%).
Importance/Performance Indicators
Respondents were asked to rate the importance of destination attributes for ANY city on a fivepoint scale (1=Not at all important, 5=Extremely important). Later in the survey, visitors were
asked to rate their satisfaction (performance) with these same attributes specifically for their
visit to New Orleans, using a similar scale (1=Not at all satisfied, 5=Extremely satisfied).

The most important destination attributes among visitors for ANY city were: personal safety,
variety of things to see and do, good food, quality of service, and friendly people.

During the last four years, personal safety was the second most important attribute, while in
2015, it became the top destination quality among visitors.
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The satisfaction of visitors with these attributes is often essential to their overall trip satisfaction.
One way to assess the performance of New Orleans is to look at the “gaps” between importance
and performance for the different attributes by examining the difference between means.

The attributes with the largest negative variance or “gaps” include personal safety,
cleanliness, and good value. These three attributes have had the largest negative gaps since
they were first analyzed.

The negative gaps in quality of service, easy to travel to, and variety of things to see and do
have remained virtually unchanged over the last few years. The gaps in personal safety,
cleanliness, and good value have grown larger.
Open-Ended Responses
A section of the survey was designated to capture any type of respondents’ thoughts regarding
their visit to New Orleans. Responses to this open-ended question were categorized by hand and
then organized based upon the most frequent themes that emerged from visitors’ comments.

Nearly two thirds (65.4%) of the visitors who offered open-ended responses provided positive
feedback. Although most of the visitors provided positive comments, the proportion of
optimistic feedback decreased from previous year’s estimates.

68.6% of respondents who provided positive comments loved New Orleans. Another 36.2%
of respondents plan to return to or recommend the city, while 24.2% liked the local
attractions.

Visitors who provided negative comments complained mostly about the cleanliness
throughout the city (23.5%), the presence of homeless (20.8%), and their overall experience
in New Orleans (16.7%).

The highest proportion (76.0%) of positive feedback was reported by the 18 to 24 age bracket,
while the lowest percentage (63.8%) was reported by the 35 to 49 age bracket.

The highest level of dissatisfaction regarding cleanliness, homeless, and overall experience in
New Orleans was reported by respondents between the ages of 50 to 64, followed by visitors
in the 35 to 49 age bracket.
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Total Number of Visitors and Expenditures
The number of visitors to the New Orleans area was determined using Smith Travel Research,
along with the results of online and intercept surveys, the TNS panel survey, the Visiting Friends
and Relatives (VFR) survey, the hotelier survey, other travel statistics, and historical data. In an
effort to correct for any biases contained in the various data sets, the observations were
weighted using external surveys along with other relevant tourism information. All comparable
data sources were combined to create a data set which included 11,691 observations of domestic
and international visitation. Average individual expenditures of visitors to the New Orleans area
were estimated based on the responses obtained through all available visitor survey data
sources. These figures were then multiplied by the number of visitors to determine the total
spending attributable to tourism activity in the New Orleans area.
Total Number of Visitors

The number of visitors to the New Orleans area for 2015 was determined to be 9.78 million.

A total of 8.02 million visitors stayed overnight in the New Orleans area. Of these visitors,
4.84 million stayed in hotels, 2.41 million stayed with friends or relatives, and 0.77 million
stayed in other accommodations.

1.76 million visitors to the New Orleans area came just for the day.
Total Visitor Expenditures

Total New Orleans visitor spending in 2015 was determined to be $7.05 billion. The largest
spending categories comprise restaurants and lodging at $1.94 and $1.82 billion, respectively.
Average Visitor Spending by Type of Accommodation

Overnight visitors to the New Orleans area who stayed in hotels spent an average of $1,011
per person per trip in 2015. Visitors stayed for an average of 4.2 nights, and spent an average
of $238 per person per day.

In 2015, overnight visitors to the New Orleans area who stayed with friends or relatives spent
an average of $459 per person per trip. Visitors stayed for an average of 4.0 nights, and spent
an average of $114 per person per day.

Overnight visitors to the New Orleans area who stayed in other accommodations (excluding
hotels and with friends or relatives) spent an average of $940 per person per trip in 2015.
Visitors stayed for an average of 5.0 nights, and spent an average of $190 per person per day.

Visitors to the New Orleans area who came just for the day spent an average of $188 per
person in 2015.
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Historical Data

In 2015, the number of visitors to the New Orleans area increased by 2.7% compared to
visitation in 2014. The number of overnight visitors who stayed in hotels increased by 0.2%,
while the number of overnight visitors who stayed with friends or relatives increased by 4.3%.
During the same period, the number of people who stayed overnight in other
accommodations decreased by 1.0%, while the number of visitors who came just for the day
increased by 9.6%.

Total visitor spending in 2015 increased by 3.5% over spending estimates in 2014. Spending
categories with the largest growth rate include entertainment (5.4%), transportation (4.9%)
and lodging (3.7%).

Since 2010, visitation and spending in New Orleans have increased by nearly 18% and 33%,
respectively.
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Introduction
The Hospitality Research Center (HRC) in the College of Business Administration at the University
of New Orleans (UNO) has conducted for numerous years an ongoing visitor study for the New
Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (NOCVB), and the New Orleans Tourism Marketing
Corporation (NOTMC). This visitor profile study provides information regarding origin, trip
characteristics, demographics, and perception/satisfaction levels of visitors to the New Orleans
Metropolitan Area, during a specific period of time. In addition, the study determines the number
of visitors who came to the area, and their total spending.
The information provided in this study not only helps identify current visitor trends that benefit
the NOCVB and NOTMC with their strategic marketing planning; but it also seeks to standardize
measurements of tourism indicators, and to produce a comprehensive study that quantifies the
importance of this industry in the New Orleans area economy.
Methodology
Survey Instrument
An online survey instrument, developed by HRC with input from the NOCVB and NOTMC, was
posted online using the website Qualtrics.com. All external intercept surveys from festivals and
events were administered using a standard survey developed by HRC and DBER. The online and
intercept surveys included questions designed to determine origin, trip characteristics,
demographics, and perception/satisfaction levels of visitors. The HRC’s hotelier and Visiting
Friends and Relatives (VFR) surveys were administered to residents and hotels, and included stayspecific questions about visitors who stayed in these accommodations.
Data Collection
This report presents the results of data collected during the calendar year 2015. The online survey
designed to collect visitor responses remained active until January 19th, 2016. The email
addresses used for online data collection belonged to people who had requested a New Orleans
visitor guidebook from the NOCVB and NOTMC, and from visitors who were intercepted while
visiting the city. The intercept emails were collected every month by a group of surveyors
representing the HRC at different locations throughout New Orleans. The intercept locations
include: Airport, Aquarium/Insectarium, Bourbon Street, Convention Center, French Market,
Garden District, Jackson Square, Riverwalk, Museum District, Canal Street, and City Park. During
the first quarter of 2015, attempts were made to intercept visitors at Magazine Street without
success. It was ultimately decided that the location would be removed for the data collection
process.
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Visitors were sent the survey electronically after they returned home, and were emailed only
once. Visitors who requested the guidebook were surveyed quarterly, while visitors intercepted
in the city were surveyed every month.
In an effort to balance for any biases inherent in an online collection methodology, including a
low response rate for daytrippers and VFRs, additional sources available to the center were used.
These sources include intercept survey data collected by HRC and DBER during 2015, data
purchased from TNS visitor panel, data from a VFR phone survey to residents, and hotelier survey
data. The VFR survey consisted of phone calls that took place twice, once in early July and once
in early January. All residents who opted to participate were asked whether they had hosted any
out of town visitors during the last six months. If the resident had a visitor during that timeframe,
a set of survey questions regarding travel characteristics was administered. The hotel survey was
directed to New Orleans hoteliers to determine an accurate mix of hotel visitors to New Orleans.
In addition, visitors who were intercepted for their email addresses, including those who did not
provide any contact information, were asked some basic information about the purpose of their
visit and lodging arrangements. External information, including Smith Travel Research and other
travel statistics, was also collected and included as part of this analysis.
Data Analysis
The survey results were downloaded from the host site and merged with comparable data from
external sources. When all the records were combined, a total of 11,691 usable responses were
in the data set. The total number of observations and final results include the responses from
both domestic and international visitors.
The number of visitors to the New Orleans area was estimated using data from Smith Travel
Research, along with the results from the online and intercept surveys, TNS panel, VFR survey,
hotelier survey, travel statistics, and historical data.
To estimate the number of visitors who chose to stay in hotels, the HRC determined the number
of hotel rooms and occupancy rates for the New Orleans area using Smith Travel Research data.
An adjustment, estimated from the hotel survey, was made to exclude residents who decided to
vacation in the city and stayed in hotels. The proportion of overnight visitors staying in other
accommodations and the proportion of daytrippers were obtained from visitor survey results and
historical data. Other accommodations include lodging arrangements such as timeshares,
apartments, bed and breakfast, campgrounds, private home rentals, and others. The VFR survey
to residents, along with census statistics, provided information to calculate the number of visitors
who stayed with friends or relatives. The HRC then combined the results from all sources and
determined the total number of visitors to the area.
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Once the total number of visitors was determined, all responses from the data set were weighted
to the proper mix of visitors to correct for any additional biases contained in the sample. The
weight was obtained from results of the hotelier survey, VFR survey, intercept visitor
characteristics, travel and hotel statistics, gambling indicators, historical data, and other relevant
tourism information available to the center.
Total visitor spending was then determined using the average individual expenditures of travelers
to the New Orleans area. These expenditures were estimated based on the responses obtained
through all visitor survey data sources that contained spending information. These figures were
multiplied by the number of visitors, estimated from the previously defined methodological
steps, to determine total visitor spending.
The data was then edited for accuracy and logical consistency. Statistical software was used to
analyze the information and provide final results. When available, comparisons are offered with
results from the same period in prior years. Throughout the report, totals in some tables may not
add up due to rounding.
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Visitor Profile
Residency Questions
Table 1: State of Residence for Domestic Visitors
Response*
Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Louisiana
Texas
California
Florida
Mississippi
Illinois
Georgia
Alabama
New York
Missouri
Ohio
Arkansas
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
North Carolina
Wisconsin
Virginia
Colorado
Other
10.1
11.2
6.3
6.0
4.4
3.6
3.6
3.9
4.3
2.7
3.0
0.8
2.9
2.9
2.0
2.4
2.1
1.5
26.3
Total
100.0
14.5
9.6
6.3
5.5
5.2
3.8
3.7
3.0
4.6
2.8
2.8
1.1
3.0
2.5
1.7
1.9
2.0
1.2
24.8
11.6
10.6
6.0
5.7
3.6
3.2
3.4
4.7
3.9
2.5
3.0
1.0
2.7
2.8
1.9
1.8
2.4
1.4
27.8
16.6
9.8
6.4
6.4
5.4
3.3
3.2
3.4
3.6
1.9
2.0
1.1
2.6
2.8
1.9
1.8
2.3
1.4
24.1
20.1
11.5
5.6
6.0
5.8
3.7
3.6
3.3
3.6
1.6
1.8
1.2
2.4
2.3
2.0
1.6
1.8
1.2
20.9
12.7
12.7
6.5
6.2
5.1
4.0
3.8
3.4
3.2
2.6
2.4
2.4
2.3
2.2
1.9
1.8
1.8
1.7
23.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
*Asked only to U.S. residents.

Visitation from Louisiana, outside the New Orleans Metro Area, and Texas were tied as the
top feeder markets for New Orleans at 12.7% each. The percentage of Louisiana visitors
returned to similar levels to those seen in years prior to 2014. The next most popular states
of origin were California (6.5%), Florida (6.2%), and Mississippi (5.1%).
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Table 2: State of Residence for Overnight Visitors
Response*
Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Texas
California
Louisiana
Florida
Illinois
Georgia
New York
Mississippi
Alabama
Missouri
Pennsylvania
Arkansas
Ohio
Tennessee
North Carolina
Wisconsin
Colorado
Washington
Virginia
New Jersey
Other
12.5
6.4
9.5
6.0
3.4
3.3
4.8
4.4
3.3
3.1
2.4
0.8
2.9
2.9
2.4
3.1
1.5
1.5
2.1
1.6
22.1
10.3
6.9
10.1
5.8
4.1
3.9
5.1
3.4
2.7
3.0
3.2
1.1
3.1
2.7
1.8
2.1
1.4
1.6
2.1
2.2
23.4
11.4
6.7
7.2
6.1
3.5
3.4
4.4
2.5
4.0
2.8
2.9
1.0
3.3
2.9
2.0
1.9
1.5
1.7
2.6
2.5
25.7
10.9
6.7
11.1
7.0
3.9
3.7
4.2
3.7
3.2
2.0
2.9
1.1
2.1
3.3
2.0
2.0
1.6
1.4
2.5
1.6
23.1
13.2
6.8
9.5
6.7
4.1
4.1
4.3
3.3
3.3
1.8
2.9
1.6
2.2
2.6
2.4
1.9
1.4
1.4
2.2
2.3
22.0
13.8
7.6
6.7
6.6
4.3
4.0
3.7
3.4
3.0
2.8
2.8
2.6
2.5
2.3
2.3
2.1
2.0
1.9
1.8
1.8
22.0
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
*Asked only to U.S. residents.

When considering overnight visitation only, the top feeder markets were Texas (13.8%),
California (7.6%), Louisiana, outside the New Orleans Metro Area (6.7%), and Florida (6.6%).
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Table 3: Top 10 States of Residency for Overnight Visitors by Purpose
Table 3A - Vacation/Pleasure
Response
Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Texas
California
Louisiana
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Mississippi
New York
Arkansas
Alabama

11.1
6.7
11.9
6.2
4.4
4.2
3.9
5.0
1.3
2.8
12.9
7.1
6.1
6.6
3.6
3.7
2.8
5.0
1.0
3.3
10.8
6.8
12.3
7.4
3.7
4.0
4.1
4.5
1.3
3.1
14.7
6.8
11.2
6.7
4.6
4.3
3.6
4.3
1.2
3.5
16.0
7.8
7.6
6.8
4.5
4.2
3.8
3.5
3.2
3.0
The greatest percentage of vacation and pleasure visitors who stayed overnight came from
Texas (16.0%), California (7.8%), and Louisiana, outside New Orleans (7.6%).
Table 3B - Association/Convention/Trade Show/Corporate Meeting
Response
Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
California
Pennsylvania
Illinois
Texas
Ohio
Florida
New York
Indiana
Massachusetts
Wisconsin

8.7
5.3
5.1
5.4
4.2
4.3
5.6
2.2
2.7
2.3
8.1
4.7
3.6
7.4
3.9
5.5
3.5
1.8
2.8
2.0
6.4
4.0
4.1
8.3
4.3
5.4
2.9
1.6
3.7
2.4
7.3
4.4
3.8
7.8
3.0
6.5
3.4
2.5
3.4
2.3
7.7
5.8
5.4
5.2
5.2
4.7
4.1
3.7
3.4
3.3
Association, convention, trade show, and corporate meeting overnight visitors were most
frequently from California (7.7%), Pennsylvania (5.8%), and Illinois (5.4%).
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Table 3C - General Business
Response
Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Texas
Florida
Louisiana
California
Missouri
New York
North Carolina
Illinois
New Jersey
Alabama

10.5
4.5
6.2
5.4
3.0
4.3
1.4
2.8
2.5
3.1
10.6
4.4
8.4
5.4
3.1
4.3
1.4
3.7
3.7
3.1
14.0
7.3
8.3
6.1
1.7
2.9
2.0
3.1
2.5
5.4
10.2
6.9
4.3
6.6
0.6
4.8
2.8
2.8
1.7
5.0
8.4
7.0
6.5
6.1
4.7
4.4
4.0
3.9
3.6
3.5
Overnight visitors who stayed overnight in the area for general business originated more
often from Texas (8.4%) and Florida (7.0%).
Table 4: Top 10 States of Residency for Hotel Visitors by Purpose
Table 4A - Vacation/Pleasure
Response
Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Texas
California
Florida
Illinois
New York
Louisiana
Missouri
Ohio
Arkansas
Pennsylvania

11.0
7.1
6.3
5.1
6.5
6.0
3.6
3.2
1.2
3.8
11.9
7.1
6.3
4.4
5.4
3.9
3.4
4.0
1.3
3.4
11.8
6.7
6.2
4.8
5.5
7.8
2.7
2.7
1.5
2.6
13.2
6.9
7.3
5.5
5.1
8.7
2.2
2.4
1.5
3.4
13.6
9.7
6.1
5.5
4.2
4.0
3.5
3.4
3.4
2.8
Most of the hotel stayers who were in the city for vacation and pleasure purposes came from
Texas (13.6%) and California (9.7%). Visitation from California had a substantial increase from
figures recorded in prior years.
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Table 4B - Association/Convention/Trade Show/Corporate Meeting
Response
Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
California
Pennsylvania
Illinois
Ohio
Florida
Texas
New York
Indiana
Massachusetts
Wisconsin

8.8
5.5
5.1
4.2
3.8
5.5
5.7
2.2
2.7
2.1
8.2
4.9
3.7
4.0
5.4
6.8
3.6
1.7
2.9
2.0
5.5
4.2
4.2
4.5
5.2
8.5
3.1
1.7
3.7
2.1
7.0
4.6
4.0
2.7
6.5
7.7
3.6
2.6
3.6
2.4
7.1
6.3
5.5
5.3
5.1
4.3
4.2
3.9
3.5
3.5
Association, convention, trade show, and corporate meeting hotel visitors originated more
often from California (7.1%) and Pennsylvania (6.3%).
Table 4C - General Business
Response
Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Texas
Florida
California
Louisiana
Missouri
New York
North Carolina
New Jersey
Kentucky
Illinois

9.4
4.0
4.8
5.8
3.4
4.4
1.4
2.4
2.2
3.0
9.6
3.8
5.7
6.8
3.0
2.9
1.6
3.7
1.7
3.9
11.9
8.2
5.2
6.5
1.9
3.1
2.2
2.9
0.5
3.5
8.6
6.3
6.8
4.1
0.7
5.0
2.6
1.9
0.9
3.0
6.5
6.4
6.2
5.8
5.4
4.7
4.6
4.2
3.8
3.8
Similar to last year, hotel stayers who came for general business were most frequently from
Texas (6.5%), Florida (6.4%), and California (6.2%).
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New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
Stay-Specific Questions
When did you visit New Orleans?
Figure 1: Quarter of Visit
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
25.7%
Q1
19.2%
31.5%
Q2
31.0%
21.1%
Q3
25.6%
21.7%
Q4
24.2%
2015 n=8,778

2014 n=7,356
During 2015, most visitors surveyed were in the New Orleans area during the second quarter
of the year (31.5%), followed by the first quarter (25.7%).
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What was the primary purpose of your visit to the New Orleans Metro Area?
Figure 2: Primary Purpose of Visit
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
76.7%
77.2%
77.2%
Vacation/Pleasure
76.1%
76.5%
77.7%
13.1%
12.4%
Association/Convention/
Trade Show/Corporate
Meeting
12.8%
2015 n=11,240
13.8%
2014 n=11,305
13.6%
2013 n=12,250
11.9%
2012 n=13,902
10.2%
10.4%
General Business
2011 n=14,603
2010 n=6,359
12.5%
10.1%
9.9%
10.4%

The overwhelming majority (76.7%) of visitors surveyed were in the New Orleans area for
vacation and pleasure purposes. The proportion of association, convention, trade show, and
corporate meeting for was 13.1%, while visitors in town for general business comprised 10.2%
of the total visitation.
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New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
Figure 3: Primary Purpose of Visit (Expanded)
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
Other vacation/leisure/pleasure
30%
24.2%
Visit friends/relatives
17.2%
Association/Convention/Trade Show
11.7%
Other sporting event
11.1%
Business trip
8.5%
Other special event
4.5%
Atmosphere/Ambience
3.6%
French Quarter Fest

25%
3.0%
Museum(s)/Arts
2.5%
Food/Dining
2.3%
Other business
1.7%
Jazz Fest
1.6%
Cruise
1.5%
Mardi Gras
1.5%
Corporate meeting
1.4%
Music
1.3%
Family attractions
0.9%
Passing through
0.7%
Tulane
0.2%
Shopping
0.2%
Saints
0.2%
Essence Fest
0.1%
Gamble
0.1%
LSU
0.1%
Volunteering/Voluntourism
0.1%
Pelicans
0.0%
2015 n=11,240
When considering a detailed primary purpose of visit, 24.2% of visitors came to New Orleans
for other vacation and pleasure purposes, while 17.2% came to the city to visit friends or
relatives. Another 11.7% of visitors came to the city for association, convention, or trade
show purposes, while 11.1% were in town for other sporting events.
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Figure 4: Primary Purpose of Visit by Type of Accommodation
120%
Hotel
94.3% 97.1% 94.3%
100%
Friends or relatives
Other accommodations
Daytrippers
80%
59.0%
60%
40%
23.9%
17.1%
20%
2.3% 1.3% 2.0%
3.3% 1.7% 3.7%
0%
Vacation/Pleasure

Association/Convention/
Trade Show/Corporate
Meeting
General Business
Once primary purpose of visit was analyzed by type of accommodation, over half (59.0%) of
hotel visitors came to New Orleans for vacation and pleasure purposes. Another 23.9% of
hotel stayers were in the city for an association, convention, trade show, or corporate
meeting. Nearly all the visitors who did not stay in hotels came to the city for vacation or
leisure purposes, including those who stayed with friends or relatives (94.3%), in other
accommodations (97.1%), or those who stayed just for the day (94.3%).
Was this your first visit to the New Orleans Metro Area?
Table 5: First Visit to New Orleans
Response

Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Yes
No
39.1
60.9
40.6
59.4
41.1
58.9
42.5
57.5
37.4
62.6
37.1
62.9
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Similar to last year, 37.1% of respondents were first-time visitors to New Orleans. The
decrease in this figure compared to prior years indicates that New Orleans is successfully
attracting repeat visitation.
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Did you stay overnight in the New Orleans Metro Area?
Table 6: Overnight in New Orleans
Response

Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Overnight
Daytrip
86.2
13.8
85.5
14.5
86.2
13.8
84.9
15.1
83.1
16.9
82.0
18.0
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
The fraction of overnight visitors in the New Orleans area decreased in 2015 to 82.0%, while
the proportion of respondents visiting just for the day increased to 18.0%. The percentage of
daytrippers in the area represented the highest figure since 2010.
If you stayed overnight in the New Orleans Metro Area, how many nights did you stay?
Table 7: Number of Nights in New Orleans

Year
Average Number
of Nights
Median Number
of Nights
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
4.1
4.2
4.2
4.1
4.1
4.2
4
4
4
4
4
4
Overnight visitors stayed in New Orleans for an average of 4.2 nights. This figure represented
a slight increase over last year’s estimate (4.1).
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New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
If you stayed overnight in the New Orleans Metro Area, in what type of accommodations did
you stay?
Figure 5: Visitor Accommodations - Overnight
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
60.4%
61.0%
59.5%
61.3%
57.7%
57.5%
Hotel
30.0%
29.2%
31.4%
30.8%
35.0%
35.1%
Friends or
relatives
2015 n=9,548
2014 n=9,561
Other
accommodations
9.6%
9.8%
9.0%
7.9%
7.3%
7.4%
2013 n=10,868
2012 n=13,397
2011 n=13,195
2010 n=4,348

The proportion of overnight visitors staying in a hotel was 60.4% during 2015. The fraction of
overnight visitors staying with friends or relatives increased to 30.0%, while the proportion
of visitors who stayed in other accommodations was 9.6%. The lodging arrangements among
overnight visitors remained virtually unchanged from last year’s estimates.

Other accommodations include bed and breakfasts, condominiums, timeshares, private
home rentals, RVs, campgrounds, cruise ships, navy bases, hostels, dormitories, as well as
volunteer workers who have stayed in churches or other types of temporary housing.
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Figure 6: Visitor Accommodations - Overnight and Daytrip
60%
50%
50.7% 49.5%
40%
30%
24.2% 24.6%
16.9% 18.0%
20%
8.2% 7.9%
10%
0%
Hotel
Friends or
relatives
2014 n=11,503

Other
accommodations
Daytrippers
2015 n=11,691
Among all visitors to the area, including overnight and daytrip, nearly half (49.5%) stayed in
hotels. Another 24.6% of visitors stayed with friends or relatives, while 7.9% stayed in other
accommodations. The number of people coming in just for the day represented 18.0% of all
visitors.
If you stayed in a hotel, how did you make your hotel reservations?
Table 8: Source of Hotel Reservation
Response
Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Travel agent*
Hotel website
Travel website
Called hotel directly
Made by friend/
relative/other
Loyalty program**
Association housing
Other
24.4
34.0
20.5
7.6
13.0
31.1
22.1
16.7
17.4
27.5
22.0
12.0
23.9
27.2
21.3
12.6
23.5
25.7
23.1
10.9
26.0
26.0
20.9
10.4
1.9
3.2
5.6
5.7
6.6
6.7
6.1
5.4
2.2
8.4
3.4
4.1
8.0
3.4
4.0
3.2
2.2
5.4
3.3
1.5
5.0
3.9
1.2
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
*Includes visitors who selected “work/business” as source of hotel reservation.
**This category was added to the survey in 2011.

Most visitors who stayed in hotels made their reservations through a travel agent (26.0%),
the hotel website (26.0%), or through a travel website (20.9%). The proportion of visitors
relying on travel agents for their hotel reservations has increased over the last few years.
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If you stayed in a paid accommodation, what was your nightly rate, excluding taxes?
Table 9: Nightly Room Rate - Hotel

Year
Average Room
Rate
Median Room
Rate
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
$141
$140
$149
$160
$162
$165
$130
$130
$145
$150
$153
$160
The average daily hotel room rate reported by overnight visitors was $165, an increase of 2%
compared to the average rate recorded in 2014 ($162). The nightly hotel room rate in the
area has grown at an average of 3% annually over the last five years
Table 10: Nightly Rate - Other Accommodations

Year
Average Rate
Median Rate
2014
2015
$120
$123
$100
$110
Visitors who stayed overnight in other paid accommodations, such as bed and breakfasts,
reported paying an average nightly rate of $123. This figure represented an increase of 3%
over 2014 estimates ($120).
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If you stayed in a paid accommodation, how many people stayed with you, including yourself?
Table 11: Number of People in Hotel Room
Year
Average Number
of People
Median Number
of People
2013
2014
2015
2.1
2.1
2.2
2
2
2
This question was added to the survey in 2013.

Overnight visitors who stayed in a hotel had an average of 2.2 people per room.
Table 12: Number of People in Other Accommodations
Year
Average Number
of People
Median Number
of People
2013
2014
2015
2.8
2.9
3.0
2
2
2
This question was added to the survey in 2013.

Visitors who stayed overnight in other paid accommodations had an average of 3.0 people
per accommodation.
If you stayed in a hotel, how many rooms did your total party occupy?
Table 13: Number of Hotel Rooms

Year
Average Number
of Rooms
Median Number
of Rooms
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
1.4
1.5
1.5
1.6
1.6
1.9
1
1
1
1
1
1
The average number of rooms occupied by each visitor party who stayed in a hotel increased
to 1.9 from 1.6 in 2014.
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Including yourself, how many people were in your travel party?
Table 14: Number of People per Travel Party

Year
Average
Party Size
Median
Party Size
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
3.1
2.9
2.9
3.0
3.0
3.1
2
2
2
2
2
2
In 2015, the average party size of visitors to the New Orleans area was 3.1, a slight increase
over 2014 estimates (3.0)
Figure 7: Number of People per Travel Party by Type of Accommodation
3.6
3.4
3.4
Other
accommodations
Daytrippers
3.4
3.2
3.1
3.0
2.9
2.8
2.6
Hotel
Friends or
relatives
2015

When the average party size was analyzed by type of accommodation, hotel visitor parties
were comprised of 3.1 people. Visitors who stayed with friends or relatives had an average
party size of 2.9, while parties who stayed in other accommodations traveled in parties made
up of 3.4 people. Visitors who stayed just for the day also had an average party size of 3.4.
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How many people in your travel party were adults (ages 18 or over)?
Table 15: Number of Adults per Travel Party

Year
Average Number
of Adults
Median Number
of Adults
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2.7
2.8
2.7
2.8
2.7
2.7
2
2
2
2
2
2
The average number of adults per travel party remained at 2.7.
Did your travel party bring children under the age of 18 to New Orleans?
Table 16: Children in Travel Party
Response

Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Yes
No
13.3
86.7
14.4
85.6
16.5
83.5
16.2
83.8
18.5
81.5
24.7
75.3
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
In 2015, 24.7% of all visitor parties had children under the age of 18 accompanying them on
their trip to New Orleans. This figure has substantially increased since 2010.
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If your travel party brought children, how many of them were under the age of 18?
Table 17: Number of Children Under 18
Response

Percent Percent
2014
2015
One child
Two children
Three children
or more
43.8
34.2
42.4
35.5
22.0
22.1
Total
Average no. of
children
100.0
100.0
2.0
2.3
Of the visitors who brought children on their trip to New Orleans, about half (42.4%) brought
one child. The average number of children per party was 2.3.
If you came for business or a convention, did your trip include activities at the New Orleans
Morial Convention Center?
Table 18: New Orleans Morial Convention Center Visitation
Response
Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Yes
No
41.0
59.0
46.1
53.9
40.5
59.5
42.4
57.6
44.0
56.0
44.1
55.9
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

Similar to last year, about half (44.1%) of the business or convention visitors to the area
reported attending activities at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.

This question includes people who indicated that their primary purpose of visit was for
association, convention, trade show, corporate meeting, or general business. Respondents
self-selected the purpose of their visit to New Orleans.
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If you came for business or a convention, did you extend your trip to stay for pleasure?
Table 19: Extend Trip for Pleasure
Response
Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Yes
No
47.9
52.1
58.6
41.4
57.6
42.4
55.4
44.6
57.8
42.2
56.2
43.8
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

Just over half (56.2%) of the business and convention visitors to the New Orleans area
extended their stay for vacation or pleasure purposes.

This question includes people who indicated that their primary purpose of visit was for
association, convention, trade show, corporate meeting, or general business. Respondents
self-selected the purpose of their visit to New Orleans.
If you extended your business or convention trip to stay for pleasure, how many additional
nights did you stay?
Table 20: Number of Additional Nights in New Orleans

Year
Average Number
of Nights
Median Number
of Nights
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.0
2.0
2.2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Visitors who came for business or convention purposes and extended their stay for pleasure
spent an average of 2.2 additional nights in the New Orleans area.
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If you came for a cruise, how many nights did you spend in New Orleans before or after your
trip?
Table 21: Number of Nights in New Orleans Before or After a Cruise
Response
Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Did not stay overnight
One night
Two nights
Three nights
Four nights
Five nights or more
9.8
18.7
28.8
24.8
9.2
8.7
17.3
22.2
26.6
20.4
7.8
5.6
16.0
23.3
31.6
18.4
6.9
4.0
25.8
18.9
22.8
17.9
7.5
7.1
9.3
19.4
25.6
24.8
11.6
9.2
16.5
16.3
28.8
23.3
9.7
5.4
Total
Average no. of nights
Valid Cases*
100.0
2.4
67
100.0
2.0
211
100.0
2.0
237
100.0
1.9
248
100.0
2.5
153
100.0
2.2
151
*Caution should be used when interpreting these numbers, as they are based on
a smaller number of responses.

Cruise visitors comprised about 1.5% of the total number of responses. Of these visitors,
83.5% indicated they spent one or more nights in New Orleans either before or after their
cruise. The average number of nights cruise visitors stayed in New Orleans was 2.2.
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What was your primary mode of transportation to the New Orleans Metro Area?
Figure 8: Mode of Transportation to New Orleans
0%
20%
40%
60%
47.8%
49.3%
49.3%
48.9%
44.1%
40.2%
Personal
vehicle
2015 n=11,242
46.2%
45.1%
45.6%
46.3%
50.5%
52.2%
Airplane
Other
2014 n=11,237
2013 n=12,225
2012 n=14,925
2011 n=14,078
2010 n=7,522
6.0%
5.6%
5.1%
4.8%
5.3%
7.6%

Most visitors who were surveyed arrived in New Orleans either in their personal vehicles
(47.8%) or by airplane (46.2%).

Other methods of transportation to New Orleans include bus, rental vehicle, RV, train,
boat/cruise ship, church van, private plane, and taxi.
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What was the primary source of information you used in making the decision to come to New
Orleans?
Figure 9: Primary Source of Information
0%
10%
20%
30%
27.9%
28.8%
29.7%
27.2%
Just knew
20.8%
19.0%
18.4%
15.6%
Convention/
Conference
16.6%
16.1%
17.0%
17.4%
Internet
10.0%
10.6%
11.4%
12.7%
Friends
9.2%
9.1%
10.6%
11.2%
Family
7.6%
7.0%
6.1%
6.3%
Job/Business/
Company
Travel agent
1.1%
1.3%
1.2%
1.0%
Advertisement
0.9%
1.0%
0.9%
1.5%
Volunteer contacts
2015 n=5,929
2014 n=5,937
2013 n=7,442
2012 n=9,540
0.1%
0.1%
0.3%
0.3%
Other

40%
5.9%
7.0%
4.5%
6.8%
27.9% of visitors indicated that they just knew about New Orleans when asked about their
primary source of information used in making their decision to come to the area. Other
sources include convention (20.8%), the internet (16.6%), friends (10.0%), and family (9.2%).
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Activity/Satisfaction Questions
How likely would you be to recommend New Orleans as a destination to your friends and
family?
Table 22: Likelihood to Recommend New Orleans as Destination
Response
2015
Promoters (rating 9 to 10)
Passive (rating 7 to 8)
Detractors (rating 0 to 6)
63.5
23.0
13.5
Total
100.0
Net Promoter Score
Average rate
Median rate
50.0%
8.5
9.0
This question was modified in 2015.

Respondents indicated their likelihood to recommend New Orleans as a destination using a
ten point scale (0=Not at all likely to 10=Extremely likely). In 2015, the average likelihood to
recommend New Orleans was 8.5, while the median was 9.

When the results of likelihood to recommend were analyzed using the Net Promoter Score
(NPS) model, a customer loyalty metric, New Orleans had a score of 50.0%. Scores of 50% and
above are considered satisfactory.
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On this trip, what places did you visit or activities did you participate in?
Figure 10: Activities Participated in While in the New Orleans Area: All Visitors
French Quarter
Shopping
Casual dining
Bourbon Street
Jackson Square
French Market
Cafe du Monde
Canal Street
Riverwalk
Bars/Nightclubs
Other French Quarter
Garden District
Street car
Music
Cemeteries
Fine dining
St. Louis Cathedral
Historic sites
Magazine Street
Canal Street shopping
Frenchmen Street
City tour
WWII Museum
Harrah's Casino
Gambling
Other guided tours
River boat tour
Swamp tour
Plantations
Aquarium
Mardi Gras World
Parades
Haunted tour
Ferry on Mississippi
Other museums
N.O. Museum of Art
Carriage ride
Superdome
Hurricane Katrina tour
N.O. School of Cooking
Audubon Zoo
LA State Museum
Insectarium
Sporting events
City Park
Bicycle tour
Ogden Museum
Children's Museum
Volunteering/Voluntourism
Other places*
Other activities*
94.2%
82.3%
81.5%
80.1%
69.9%
67.8%
65.4%
63.8%
62.5%
62.0%
59.3%
50.4%
43.9%
43.7%
42.0%
41.5%
41.0%
40.1%
38.1%
37.9%
35.2%
26.3%
25.7%
23.9%
18.9%
18.3%
18.1%
17.0%
15.4%
13.2%
11.6%
10.7%
2015 n=88,696
10.2%
9.0%
8.2%
6.9%
6.9%
6.0%
5.9%
5.4%
5.2%
3.6%
3.6%
3.3%
2.3%
1.9%
1.5%
1.0%
0.5%
11.0%
2.4%
*Total equals more than 100% due to multiple responses. See Appendix D for a list of “Other” activities and places.

94.2% of respondents reported visiting the French Quarter, while 80.1% particularly visited
Bourbon Street. Another 82.3% shopped while in the city. 81.5% of visitors reported eating
in casual dining restaurants, while 41.5% reported eating in fine dining establishments.
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Figure 11: Activities Participated in While in New Orleans: With vs. Without Children
87%
French Quarter
71%
Casual dining
64%
Bourbon Street
Jackson Square
French Market
Riverwalk
Canal Street
Other French Quarter
Garden District
39%
Aquarium
38%
9%
Street car
St. Louis Cathedral
Canal Street shopping
Magazine Street
Bars/Nightclubs
30%
Cemeteries
Music
25%
WWII Museum
21%
26%
21%
Fine dining
20%
17%
19%
27%
18%
Swamp tour
City tour
Frenchmen Street
River boat tour
Plantations
Haunted tour
Mardi Gras World
82%
52%
37%
41%
36%
45%
35%
42%
34%
39%
31%
39%
31%
Historic sites
Other guided tours
83%
64%
66%
61%
71%
59%
69%
56%
63%
52%
66%
51%
61%
Cafe du Monde
Audubon Zoo
95%
81%
82%
Shopping
4%
67%
44%
46%
45%
Visitors With Children
38%
Visitors Without Children
15%
19%
14%
13%
19%
13%
16%
12%
10%
10%
12%
Other*
*Total equals more than 100% due to multiple responses. See Appendix D for a list of “Other”.

The behavior of visitors traveling with and without children varied widely, depending on the
type of activity. The aquarium, fine dining, and music activities had the largest difference in
visitation for parties traveling with versus without children.
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Figure 12: Activities Participated in While in New Orleans: First Time vs. Repeat Visitor
French Quarter
Bourbon Street
71%
85%
80%
83%
80%
71%
69%
71%
65%
68%
60%
67%
64%
67%
58%
66%
59%
64%
55%
55%
Shopping
Casual dining
Jackson Square
French Market
Canal Street
Cafe du Monde
Riverwalk
Bars/Nightclubs
Other French Quarter
Garden District
Cemeteries
Street car
Music
St. Louis Cathedral
Historic sites
Canal Street shopping
Fine dining
Frenchmen Street
Magazine Street
City tour
WWII Museum
Harrah's Casino
Other guided tours
River boat tour
Swamp tour
Plantations
Gambling
Mardi Gras World
Haunted tour
Parades
Aquarium
Ferry on Mississippi
98%
91%
90%
32%
46%
52%
49%
40%
46%
42%
45%
37%
45%
36%
44%
32%
41%
42%
40%
30%
40%
36%
35%
19%
27%
25%
24%
23%
24%
13%
24%
13%
23%
12%
19%
12%
18%
20%
14%
9%
12%
8%
11%
10%
11%
15%
11%
8%
First Time Visitors
Repeat Visitors
Other*
*Total equals more than 100% due to multiple responses. See Appendix D for a list of “Other”.

First time visitors were more likely than repeat visitors to participate in those activities that
are considered typical “tourist” activities. The largest difference for first time versus repeat
visitors include Bourbon Street, cemeteries, and city tour activities.
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Demographic Questions
What is your marital status?
Figure 13: Marital Status of Respondents
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
72.1%
72.0%
72.0%
Married or living
with partner
72.4%
67.2%
67.0%
17.2%
18.3%
Single
17.4%
17.5%
21.4%
22.6%
10.7%
9.7%
Divorced/Widowed/
Separated
10.7%
10.1%
11.4%
10.3%

2015 n=6,332
2014 n=6,260
2013 n=7,770
2012 n=9,707
2011 n=10,555
2010 n=5,627
Similar to previous years, the majority of respondents were married or living with a partner
(72.1%). Single respondents accounted for 17.2% of the total visitation, while 10.7% of the
respondents were divorced, widowed, or separated.
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Are there any children under 18 that live in your household?
Table 23: Respondents With Children Living in Their Households
Response

Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Yes
No
25.7
74.3
24.8
75.2
25.2
74.8
23.3
76.7
21.8
78.2
22.8
77.2
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
In 2015, there was a slight increase in respondents who reported having children under the
age of 18 living in their household (22.8%).
Are you retired?
Table 24: Retired Respondents
Response

Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Yes
No
12.7
87.3
14.5
85.5
16.6
83.4
18.4
81.6
19.2
80.8
21.3
78.7
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
A larger fraction of respondents were retired (21.3%). The figure reported in 2015 represents
the highest percentage of retirees since 2010.
Do you identify yourself to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT)?
Table 25: LGBT Respondents
Response
Percent Percent
2014
2015
Yes
No
4.2
95.8
4.1
95.9
Total
100.0
100.0
This question was added to the survey in late 2014.

4.1% of respondents identified themselves to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender.
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Which category best describes your age?
Figure 14: Age of Respondents
0%
18 - 24 years old
10%
20%
30%
50%
4.1%
5.0%
5.9%
4.7%
5.4%
5.2%
25 - 34 years old
15.3%
16.7%
17.8%
16.9%
18.4%
18.4%
29.8%
28.1%
28.1%
29.7%
29.2%
32.2%
35 - 49 years old
36.1%
36.0%
35.6%
37.7%
37.8%
35.4%
50 - 64 years old
65 years or older

40%
14.6%
14.1%
12.7%
11.0%
9.1%
8.8%
2015 n=9,211
2014 n=9,594
2013 n=12,212
2012 n=13,531
2011 n=13,153
2010 n=6,212
The most frequent age group among respondents was 50-64 years old (36.1%), followed by
35-49 years old (29.8%). During 2015, the percentage of respondents in the 25-34 years old
group represented the lowest figure since 2010 at 15.3%, while the 65 years or older group
had the largest proportion in the last six years (14.6%).
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Which category best describes your household annual income?
Figure 15: Household Annual Income of Respondents
0%
Under $25,000
10%
20%
30%
4.7%
5.2%
6.4%
7.1%
13.3%
14.5%
15.7%
15.7%
$25,000 - $49,999
$50,000 - $74,999
17.2%
22.1%
20.6%
20.3%
$75,000 - $99,999
18.4%
18.3%
19.3%
17.4%
24.2%
22.7%
20.6%
22.3%
$100,000 - $149,999
$150,000 - $199,999
$200,000 or more
2015 n=7,568
40%
11.9%
9.3%
9.0%
9.9%
10.4%
7.8%
8.2%
7.3%
2014 n=7,698
2013 n=10,649
2012 n=12,144
This question was modified in 2012.

Similar to previous years, the largest fraction of visitors surveyed had a household annual
income between $100,000 and $149,999 (24.2%). The percentage of visitors with an income
of under $25,000 continued to decrease, while the proportion of visitors with an income of
$200,000 and over reached the highest figure since 2012 (10.4%).
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Importance/Performance Indicators
Respondents were asked to rate the importance of destination attributes for ANY city on a fivepoint scale (1=Not at all important, 5=Extremely important). Later in the survey, visitors were
asked to rate their satisfaction (performance) with these same attributes specifically for their
visit to New Orleans, using a similar scale (1=Not at all satisfied, 5=Extremely satisfied).

The most important destination attributes among visitors for ANY city were: personal safety,
variety of things to see and do, good food, quality of service, and friendly people.

During the last four years, personal safety was the second most important attribute, while in
2015, it became the top destination quality among visitors.
The satisfaction of visitors with these attributes is often essential to their overall trip satisfaction.
One way to assess the performance of New Orleans is to look at the “gaps” between importance
and performance for the different attributes by examining the difference between means.
Table 26 shows the mean scores of destination attributes for importance and performance. The
variance estimates from 2011 to 2015 present a comparison over the years. The variance
included in this table exemplifies the difference between means, and it does not represent the
statistical defined variance.

The attributes with the largest negative variance or “gaps” include personal safety,
cleanliness, and good value. These three attributes have had the largest negative gaps since
they were first analyzed.

The negative gaps in quality of service, easy to travel to, and variety of things to see and do
have remained virtually unchanged over the last few years. The gaps in personal safety,
cleanliness, and good value have grown larger.
Table 26: Important/Performance Indicators
Attribute
Personal safety
Variety of things
to see and do
Good food
Quality of service
Friendly people
Easy to travel to
Cleanliness
Unique
Good value
Entertainment
Exciting
Nightlife
Family oriented
Variance
Importance Performance
2015
2015
2015 2014 2013 2012
4.55
3.58
-0.97 -0.90 -0.87 -0.83
2011
-0.86
4.53
4.50
-0.04 -0.04 -0.05 -0.01
-0.01
4.45
4.26
4.20
4.12
4.11
4.09
4.08
4.01
3.96
3.11
3.10
4.51
4.14
4.25
4.04
3.17
4.49
3.75
4.21
4.31
3.95
3.18
0.06
-0.12
0.05
-0.07
-0.94
0.41
-0.34
0.20
0.35
0.84
0.09
0.08
-0.17
0.08
-0.04
-0.77
0.43
-0.27
0.23
0.36
0.81
0.18
0.06
-0.13
0.04
-0.07
-0.83
0.39
-0.28
0.20
0.35
0.78
0.11
0.07
-0.10
0.03
-0.06
-0.78
0.38
-0.26
0.19
0.31
0.81
0.12
0.08
-0.12
0.05
-0.06
-0.76
0.43
-0.28
0.20
0.35
0.76
0.13
Quality of service was renamed in 2012.
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The means of importance and performance indicators were also graphed on a grid and divided
into quadrants according to levels of importance and performance. The axes have remained
unchanged over the years to allow for historical comparisons. The symbol shape of each attribute
indicates the quadrant in which it was located when first analyzed.
Most of the attributes that ranked high in importance also ranked highly in visitor performance.
Attributes that ranked high in importance, but low in performance include cleanliness, personal
safety, and good value. These attributes have remained in the same quadrant since the beginning
of the study. Attributes that have been changing quadrants over the last few years include
unique, easy to travel to, and quality of service. Other attributes including nightlife,
entertainment, and exciting started to transition quarters since 2012. In 2015, entertainment and
exciting became low importance high performance attributes, while nightlife became a low
importance low performance attribute.
Figure 16: Importance/Performance Indicators
5.25
HI IMP/HI PER - 
LO IMP/HI PER - 
5.00
4.75
Good food
Unique
Variety of things to see
and do
Performance
4.50
Friendly people
Exciting
Entertainment
4.25
Quality of service
Nightlife
4.00
Easy to travel to
3.75
Good value
Personal safety
3.50
Family oriented
3.25
Cleanliness
3.00
2.75
HI IMP/LO PER - 
LO IMP/LO PER - Δ
2.75
3.00
3.25
3.50
3.75
4.00
4.25
4.50
4.75
5.00
5.25
Importance
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Open-Ended Responses
A section of the survey was designated to capture any type of respondents’ thoughts regarding
their visit to New Orleans. Responses to this open-ended question were categorized by hand and
then organized based upon the most frequent themes that emerged from visitors’ comments.
The responses have been analyzed and compiled in a separate volume. Appendix A contains a
summary of these results, including comparisons among age groups. The responses are quite
interesting and represent a source of rich qualitative information.
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Total Visitation and Spending
Total Number of Visitors

The number of visitors to the New Orleans area for 2015 was determined to be 9.78 million.

A total of 8.02 million visitors stayed overnight in the New Orleans area. Of these visitors,
4.84 million stayed in hotels, 2.41 million stayed with friends or relatives, and 0.77 million
stayed in other accommodations.

1.76 million visitors to the New Orleans area came just for the day.
Total Visitor Expenditures
Table 27: Total Visitor Spending
Spending Category

2015
Lodging
Restaurants
Bars/Nightclubs
Local Transportation
Entertainment/Recreation
Shopping
Gambling
$1,822,732,727
$1,936,492,720
$703,198,846
$344,058,415
$830,109,876
$1,208,976,222
$205,556,842
Total
$7,051,125,648
Total New Orleans visitor spending in 2015 was determined to be $7.05 billion. The largest
spending categories comprise restaurants and lodging at $1.94 and $1.82 billion, respectively.
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Average Visitor Spending by Type of Accommodation
Table 28: Individual Expenditures of Overnight
Visitors - Hotel

Hotel
Per Trip
Per Day
Lodging
Restaurants
Bars/Nightclubs
Local Transportation
Entertainment/Recreation
Shopping
Gambling
Total
Average no. of nights
$340
$249
$87
$45
$104
$155
$30
$1,011
$80
$59
$21
$11
$25
$36
$7
$238
4.2
Overnight visitors to the New Orleans area who stayed in hotels spent an average of $1,011
per person per trip in 2015. Visitors stayed for an average of 4.2 nights, and spent an average
of $238 per person per day.
Table 29: Individual Expenditures of Overnight
Visitors - Friends or Relatives
Friends or Relatives
Lodging
Restaurants
Bars/Nightclubs
Local Transportation
Entertainment/Recreation
Shopping
Gambling
Total
Average no. of nights

Per Trip
Per Day
$170
$75
$27
$73
$100
$14
$459
$42
$19
$7
$18
$25
$4
$114
4.0
In 2015, overnight visitors to the New Orleans area who stayed with friends or relatives spent
an average of $459 per person per trip. Visitors stayed for an average of 4.0 nights, and spent
an average of $114 per person per day.
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Table 30: Individual Expenditures of Overnight
Visitors - Other Accommodations
Other Accommodations
Lodging
Restaurants
Bars/Nightclubs
Local Transportation
Entertainment/Recreation
Shopping
Gambling
Total
Average no. of nights

Per Trip
Per Day
$230
$269
$98
$44
$131
$149
$18
$940
$46
$54
$20
$9
$27
$30
$4
$190
5.0
Overnight visitors to the New Orleans area who stayed in other accommodations (excluding
hotels and with friends or relatives) spent an average of $940 per person per trip in 2015.
Visitors stayed for an average of 5.0 nights, and spent an average of $190 per person per day.
Table 31: Individual Expenditures of Daytrippers

Daytrippers
Per Day
Lodging
Restaurants
Bars/Nightclubs
Local Transportation
Entertainment/Recreation
Shopping
Gambling
Total
$66
$13
$16
$28
$60
$6
$188
Visitors to the New Orleans area who came just for the day spent an average of $188 per
person in 2015.
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Historical Data
Table 32: Number of Visitors - 2006 to 2015
(Millions)

2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Growth
15/14
Overnight
3.05
5.64
6.35
6.27
7.14
7.48
7.76
7.84
7.91
8.02
1.3%
Hotel
1.58
3.11
3.71
3.59
4.24
4.32
4.76
4.65
4.83
4.84
0.2%
VFR
1.15
1.96
2.15
2.19
2.37
2.62
2.39
2.49
2.31
2.41
4.3%
Other
0.32
0.57
0.50
0.49
0.53
0.54
0.61
0.70
0.78
0.77
-1.0%
Daytrippers
0.67
1.44
1.25
1.28
1.14
1.27
1.24
1.44
1.61
1.76
9.6%
Total
3.72
7.08
7.60
7.55
8.29
8.75
9.01
9.28
9.52
9.78
2.7%
In 2015, the number of visitors to the New Orleans area increased by 2.7% compared to
visitation in 2014. The number of overnight visitors who stayed in hotels increased by 0.2%,
while the number of overnight visitors who stayed with friends or relatives increased by 4.3%.
During the same period, the number of people who stayed overnight in other
accommodations decreased by 1.0%, while the number of visitors who came just for the day
increased by 9.6%.
Table 33: Visitor Expenditures - 2006 to 2015
(Billions)
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Growth
15/14
Lodging
$0.72
$1.05
$1.13
$1.01
$1.29
$1.31
$1.54
$1.66
$1.76
$1.82
3.7%
Restaurants
$1.03
$1.42
$1.68
$1.30
$1.56
$1.63
$1.77
$1.82
$1.87
$1.94
3.3%
Bars
$0.31
$0.49
$0.49
$0.44
$0.53
$0.56
$0.62
$0.66
$0.68
$0.70
3.1%
Transportation
$0.14
$0.32
$0.30
$0.20
$0.29
$0.25
$0.28
$0.31
$0.33
$0.34
4.9%
Entertainment
$0.25
$0.53
$0.58
$0.53
$0.59
$0.66
$0.72
$0.71
$0.79
$0.83
5.4%
Shopping
$0.44
$0.96
$0.90
$0.80
$1.04
$1.07
$1.07
$1.11
$1.18
$1.21
2.7%
Gambling
-
-
-
-
-
-
$0.21
$0.21
$0.21
$0.21
-1.5%
$2.89
$4.76
$5.09
$4.28
$5.29
$5.47
$6.20
$6.47
$6.81
$7.05
3.5%
Total

Total visitor spending in 2015 increased by 3.5% over spending estimates in 2014. Spending
categories with the largest growth rate include entertainment (5.4%), transportation (4.9%)
and lodging (3.7%).
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Figure 17: Visitation and Spending
10.1
8.5
7.1
$4.6
$4.9
7.6
$4.8
$5.1
2007
2008
7.5
8.3
8.8
$5.3
$5.5
2010
2011
9.3
9.5
9.8
9.0
$6.5
$6.8
$7.1
$6.2
2012
2013
2014
2015
$4.3
3.7
$2.9
2003
2004
2006
2009
Visitation (Millions)
Spending (Billions)*
A full-year report was not completed in 2005.
*Total spending is not adjusted for inflation. Gambling was added to the analysis in 2012.

Since 2010, visitation and spending in New Orleans have increased by nearly 18% and 33%,
respectively.
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Appendix A
Open-Ended Responses Analysis
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Open-Ended Responses
The survey included a section for open-ended responses designed to capture any type of visitors’
thoughts regarding New Orleans. These responses were categorized by hand and then organized
based upon the most frequent themes that emerged from visitors’ comments. The categories
were divided into positive and negative groups. The definition of each category is presented in
the following section.
POSITIVE RESPONSES

City recovery: Including people who are satisfied with hurricane recovery, oil spill restoration,
and positive spirit. People who want to see more advertising of recovery.

Cleanliness: Including overall city’s cleanliness.

Culture and architecture: Including history and art.

Costs: Including city’s prices and tax benefits.

Family friendly: Including availability of family friendly activities and venues in the city.

French Quarter: Including Bourbon Street and French Market.

Hotels: Including facility and customer service.

Local attractions: Including zoo, aquarium, museums, parks, plantations, tours, shopping,
parades, festivals, events, and other touristic activities.

Local information: Including visitor’s guidebook, website, app, and newsletters.

Love New Orleans: Including people who enjoyed the city and whose expectations were met
or exceeded. Includes people who liked the city’s atmosphere and consider New Orleans a
unique place.

Music: Including Jazz, street performers, and night life.

Other neighborhoods: Including Frenchmen Street, Garden District, Marigny, Bywater, and
others.

People and service: Including overall locals’ friendliness, service quality, and hospitality.

Public transportation: Including street cars, ferries, taxis, walking and driving distances.

Restaurants and food: Including cuisine, quality, and service.

Return/Recommend: Including people who plan to return to the city, recommend it to others,
and those who would love/plan to live in the area.

Safety and police: Including overall sense of safety in the city and police availability.
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NEGATIVE RESPONSES

Bourbon Street: Including people, nudity, noises, and overall atmosphere.

City infrastructure: Including sidewalks, streets, signage, illumination, traffic, and overall
infrastructure. Issues with facilities including handicap accessibility, seating, bathrooms,
smoking, and temperature.

City recovery: Including city’s recovery post-Katrina, concerns about oil spill, and overall city’s
spirit.

Cleanliness: Including overall city’s dirtiness, smell, rats, and recycling options.

Convenience stores: Including hours of operation, merchandise, customer service, prices, and
payment options.

Costs: Including city’s prices, taxes, and tips.

Dislike New Orleans: Including people who had a general dislike for the city, and those who
won’t recommend or return to the city.

Family friendly: Including lack of family friendly activities and venues in the city.

Homeless: Including beggars, panhandlers, and seedy people.

Hotels: Including customer service, prices, availability, and safety.

Local attractions: Including hours of operation, prices, and amount of people.

Local information: Including not receiving visitor guide, lack of information, and problems
with website, maps, and discounts. Absence of advertisement for volunteering organizations.

Music: Including lack of Jazz, Blues, and Zydeco venues. Absence of free music events.

Other neighborhoods: Including Downtown, French Quarter, and French Market.

Parking: Including problems with prices, availability, and signage.

People and service: Including overall service and treatment from locals.

Police: Including availability and rudeness.

Public transportation: Including customer service, system, prices, schedule, availability, and
information.

Restaurants and food: Including prices, service, variety, and quality.

Safety: Including violence, crime, drugs, and scammers.

Travel related: Including issues with flights, airport, cruises, trains, and buses.
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Open‐Ended Responses Results
Table 1: Response Type
Percent Percent Percent
2013
2014
2015
Response

Positive
Negative
Neutral
74.9
23.9
1.2
69.9
28.8
1.3
65.4
31.2
3.4
Total
Valid Cases
100.0
2,569
100.0
2,215
100.0
2,479
Nearly two thirds (65.4%) of the visitors who offered open-ended responses provided positive
feedback. Although most of the visitors provided positive comments, the proportion of
optimistic feedback decreased from previous year’s estimates.
Figure 1: Positive Responses by Category
0%
20%
40%
60%
Love New Orleans
80%
68.6%
Return/Recommend
36.2%
Local attractions
24.2%
People and service
17.9%
Restaurants and food
17.0%
Culture and architecture
8.4%
Music
7.0%
Public transportation
6.2%
Hotels
3.6%
French Quarter
3.4%
Other neighborhoods
2.7%
Safety and police
2.6%
City recovery
1.8%
Local information
1.6%
Cleanliness
1.5%
Costs
1.3%
Family friendly
1.3%
n=3,666
Total equals more than 100% due to multiple responses.

68.6% of respondents who provided positive comments loved New Orleans. Another 36.2%
of respondents plan to return to or recommend the city, while 24.2% liked the local
attractions.
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Figure 2: Negative Responses by Category
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
Cleanliness
23.5%
Homeless
20.8%
Dislike New Orleans
16.7%
Safety
15.8%
Bourbon Street
14.9%
City infrastructure
14.8%
Costs
9.1%
Parking
8.4%
Public transportation
8.4%
Restaurants and food
7.2%
Other neighborhoods
6.1%
Local information
5.8%
Local attractions
5.7%
Hotels
5.6%
People and service
Police
4.7%
3.2%
Family friendly
2.7%
Travel related
2.4%
Music
2.3%
City recovery
Convenience stores
n=1,989
1.8%
0.5%
Total equals more than 100% due to multiple responses.

Visitors who provided negative comments complained mostly about the cleanliness
throughout the city (23.5%), the presence of homeless (20.8%), and their overall experience
in New Orleans (16.7%).
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Table 2: Response Type by Age Group
Age Group
18 - 24 years
25 - 34 years
35 - 49 years
50 - 64 years
65 years or older
Percent
Positive
Percent
Negative
Percent
Neutral
Total
Valid
Cases
76.0
65.0
63.8
64.2
70.7
16.0
32.5
32.3
32.5
25.8
8.0
2.5
3.8
3.3
3.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
25*
203
495
1,101
605
Total
2,429
*Due to the small sample size caution should be used when interpreting this statistical finding.

The highest proportion (76.0%) of positive feedback was reported by the 18 to 24 age bracket,
while the lowest percentage (63.8%) was reported by the 35 to 49 age bracket.
Figure 3: Top Three Negative Responses by Age Group
0%
18 - 24
years old
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
1.6%
0.5%
1.1%
Cleanliness
Homeless
Dislike New Orleans
25 - 34
years old
35 - 49
years old
10.8%
8.6%
4.5%
23.2%
27.9%
24.2%
52.0%
46.4%
47.8%
50 - 64
years old
65 years
or older

12.4%
16.7%
22.5%
The highest level of dissatisfaction regarding cleanliness, homeless, and overall experience in
New Orleans was reported by respondents between the ages of 50 to 64, followed by visitors
in the 35 to 49 age bracket.
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Detailed Analysis by Age Group
Ages 18-24
Table 3: Response Type
Percent Percent Percent
2013
2014
2015
Response
Positive
Negative
Neutral
75.0
22.5
2.5
75.0
22.2
2.8
76.0
16.0
8.0
Total
Valid Cases*
100.0
65
100.0
36
100
25
*Due to the small sample size caution should be used when interpreting this
statistical finding.
Figure 4: Positive Responses by Type
Figure 5: Negative Responses by Type
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Cleanliness
Love New Orleans
84.2%
Return/Recommend
Local attractions
Culture and
architecture
Public transportation
Restaurants and food
42.1%
21.1%
5.3%
5.3%
5.3%
n=31
40.0%
Bourbon Street
30.0%
Costs
20.0%
Dislike New Orleans
20.0%
Restaurants and food
20.0%
City infrastructure
10.0%
Convenience stores
10.0%
Family friendly
10.0%
Homeless
10.0%
Hotels
10.0%
Other neighborhoods
10.0%
Parking
10.0%
People and service
10.0%
Safety
10.0%
n=22
Total equals more than 100% due to multiple responses.
Due to the small sample size caution should be used when interpreting this statistical finding.

Most of the respondents within the 18 to 24 age bracket provided positive feedback (76.0%).
The highest proportion of visitors who provided positive responses loved New Orleans
(84.2%), while most of the negative feedback referred to cleanliness throughout the city
(40.0%), and overall atmosphere at Bourbon Street (30.0%).
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Ages 25-34
Table 4: Response Type
Percent Percent Percent
2013
2014
2015
Response
Positive
Negative
Neutral
78.7
19.5
2.0
69.6
29.3
1.0
65.0
32.5
2.5
Total
Valid Cases
100.0
254
100.0
191
100
203
Figure 6: Positive Responses by Type
0%
50%
Love New Orleans
Restaurants and food
100%
72.3%
Return/Recommend
39.9%
20.9%
People and service
19.6%
Local attractions
18.9%
Figure 7: Negative Responses by Type
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Cleanliness
28.7%
Homeless
20.2%
Bourbon Street
19.1%
Restaurants and food
13.8%
Safety
13.8%
City infrastructure
11.7%
Culture and architecture
13.5%
Costs
10.6%
Music
10.1%
Public transportation
10.6%
Public transportation
6.1%
Local attractions
9.6%
Dislike New Orleans
8.5%
Hotels
7.4%
French Quarter
3.4%
Other neighborhoods
2.7%
Other neighborhoods
7.4%
Family friendly
2.0%
Parking
7.4%
Hotels
2.0%
Local information
6.4%
City recovery
1.4%
City recovery
4.3%
Police
4.3%
Local information
1.4%
Safety and police
1.4%
Cleanliness
0.7%
Costs
0.7%
Family friendly
n=321
2.1%
People and service
2.1%
Music
1.1%
Travel related
1.1%
n=179
Total equals more than 100% due to multiple responses.

Respondents within the 25 to 34 age bracket provided mostly positive feedback (65.0%). The
highest proportion of visitors who provided positive responses loved New Orleans (72.3%),
while most of the negative feedback referred to cleanliness throughout the city (28.7%), the
presence of homeless (20.2%), and overall Bourbon Street atmosphere (19.1%).
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Ages 35-49
Table 5: Response Type
Percent Percent Percent
2013
2014
2015
Response
Positive
Negative
Neutral
75.3
22.8
1.8
71.6
27.6
0.8
63.8
32.3
3.8
Total
Valid Cases
100.0
649
100.0
475
100.0
495
Figure 8: Positive Responses by Type
0%
50%
Love New Orleans
Local attractions
36.1%
22.4%
Restaurants and food
18.5%
People and service
17.9%
Culture and architecture
100%
69.2%
Return/Recommend
10.4%
Music
5.9%
Public transportation
3.1%
Safety and police
3.1%
Family friendly
2.8%
French Quarter
2.8%
Other neighborhoods
2.8%
Hotels
2.2%
Costs
1.7%
City recovery
1.1%
Cleanliness
1.1%
Local information
1.1%
Figure 9: Negative Responses by Type
n=722
0%
Homeless
Cleanliness
Safety
Dislike New Orleans
Bourbon Street
Costs
City infrastructure
Parking
Public transportation
Restaurants and food
Local attractions
Other neighborhoods
Local information
People and service
Family friendly
Hotels
Police
City recovery
Travel related
Convenience stores
Music
10%
20%
30%
26.5%
24.8%
23.1%
18.4%
15.0%
11.5%
10.3%
9.4%
8.5%
7.7%
6.4%
6.0%
5.6%
5.6%
4.7%
4.3%
3.0%
1.7%
0.9%
n=454
0.4%
0.4%
Total equals more than 100% due to multiple responses.

The highest proportion of respondents within the 35 to 49 age bracket provided positive
feedback (63.8%). Most of the visitors who provided positive responses loved New Orleans
(69.2%), while the majority of negative feedback referred to the presence of homeless
(26.5%), cleanliness throughout the city (24.8%), and safety (23.1%).
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Ages 50-64
Table 6: Response Type
Response
Percent Percent Percent
2013
2014
2015
Positive
Negative
Neutral
73.9
25.1
0.9
69.8
29.0
1.3
64.2
32.5
3.3
Total
Valid Cases
100.0
1,170
100.0
1,022
100.0
1,101
Figure 10: Positive Responses by Type
0%
50%
Love New Orleans
100%
68.3%
Return/Recommend
36.3%
Local attractions
24.6%
People and service
18.1%
Restaurants and food
17.0%
Culture and architecture
9.0%
Music
7.9%
Public transportation
7.3%
Hotels
3.9%
French Quarter
3.8%
Safety and police
3.2%
Other neighborhoods
2.8%
Cleanliness
2.0%
City recovery
1.8%
Costs
1.4%
Local information
1.1%
Family friendly
0.5%
Figure 11: Negative Responses by Type
n=1,643
0%
Cleanliness
Homeless
Dislike New Orleans
Bourbon Street
Safety
City infrastructure
Parking
Costs
Other neighborhoods
Public transportation
Hotels
Restaurants and food
Local information
Local attractions
People and service
Police
Music
Travel related
Family friendly
City recovery
Convenience stores
10%
20%
30%
25.7%
20.4%
16.8%
15.2%
15.2%
14.9%
10.3%
9.1%
7.7%
6.7%
5.7%
5.7%
5.3%
5.1%
4.4%
4.0%
3.6%
3.0%
2.2%
n=926
1.4%
0.8%
Total equals more than 100% due to multiple responses.

The majority of respondents within the 50 to 64 age bracket provided positive feedback
(64.2%). Most of the visitors who provided positive responses loved New Orleans (68.3%),
while the highest percentage of negative feedback referred to cleanliness throughout the city
(25.7%), the presence of homeless (20.4%), and general dislike towards New Orleans (16.8%).
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Ages 65 or older
Table 7: Response Type
Response
Percent
2013
Percent
2014
Percent
2015
Positive
Negative
Neutral
74.7
24.8
0.4
70.7
28.5
1.6
70.7
25.8
3.5
Total
Valid Cases
100.0
447
100.0
446
100.0
605
Figure 12: Positive Responses by Type
0%
50%
Love New Orleans
100%
67.8%
Return/Recommend
16.8%
Restaurants and food
15.4%
10%
20%
City infrastructure
20.4%
16.4%
Cleanliness
13.7%
Public transportation
11.5%
Bourbon Street
11.1%
Public transportation
6.9%
Safety
Music
5.8%
Local information
6.6%
Hotels
4.9%
9.3%
Hotels
6.2%
Restaurants and food
6.2%
Costs
5.3%
Culture and architecture
4.5%
French Quarter
3.1%
Parking
4.9%
City recovery
2.9%
People and service
4.4%
Local information
2.9%
Local attractions
4.0%
Other neighborhoods
2.5%
Safety and police
1.8%
Costs
1.3%
Family friendly
1.3%
Cleanliness
1.1%
n=900
30%
17.7%
Homeless
27.7%
People and service
0%
Dislike New Orleans
34.5%
Local attractions
Figure 13: Negative Responses by Type
Travel related
3.5%
Other neighborhoods
2.7%
Family friendly
2.2%
City recovery
1.8%
Music
1.8%
Police
1.8%
n=342
Total equals more than 100% due to multiple responses.

Respondents within the 65 or older age bracket provided mostly positive feedback (70.7%).
Most of the visitors who provided positive responses loved New Orleans (67.8%), while the
highest percentage of negative feedback referred to the city’s infrastructure (20.4%), general
dislike towards New Orleans (17.7%), and the presence of homeless (16.4%).
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Appendix B
International Visitors
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Country of Residence for International Respondents
Percent
2013
Percent
2014
Percent
2015
Canada
United Kingdom
Australia
France
Germany
Brazil
Netherlands
Sweden
Puerto Rico
Italy
Mexico
China
New Zealand
Belgium
Ireland
Switzerland
Spain
Other
43.4
12.9
6.0
3.5
3.3
3.5
4.0
0.9
0.1
1.0
3.2
0.3
0.8
1.4
0.8
1.0
1.0
12.9
43.6
13.5
8.3
2.3
3.5
2.6
3.3
0.9
0.1
1.6
1.7
0.5
1.6
1.3
1.0
0.6
1.3
12.3
41.7
15.3
9.0
3.6
3.4
1.9
1.6
1.4
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.0
11.5
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
Response
UNO Hospitality Research Center
64
Annual Report - 2015
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
U.S. City of Entrance for International Respondents
Percent
2013
Percent
2014
Percent
2015
New Orleans, LA
Atlanta, GA
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Dallas, TX
Chicago, IL
New York, NY
Detroit, MI
Miami, FL
Washington DC
Seattle, WA
Buffalo, NY
Philadelphia, PA
Port Huron, MI
Denver, CO
Charlotte, NC
San Francisco, CA
Boston, MA
Charleston, SC
Newark, NJ
Minneapolis, MN
Other
13.8
9.8
10.1
4.7
6.3
7.1
7.3
5.0
4.3
4.4
0.6
3.6
2.3
0.9
3.4
1.4
0.6
0.6
1.4
0.7
0.9
10.8
13.8
8.4
8.4
6.9
6.5
7.1
6.9
6.2
4.6
4.7
2.2
3.6
1.7
1.2
3.1
0.9
1.7
0.3
0.0
1.3
1.4
9.1
14.7
9.6
8.5
7.7
7.0
6.1
6.1
5.4
4.5
3.4
2.9
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.5
1.5
1.3
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.0
9.2
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
Response
UNO Hospitality Research Center
65
Annual Report - 2015
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
Appendix C
Visitation by Designated Market Area
(DMA)
UNO Hospitality Research Center
66
Annual Report - 2015
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
DMA of Residence for Domestic Visitors
Response
Percent
2015
Baton Rouge, LA
New York, NY
Chicago, IL
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA
Atlanta, GA
Mobile-Pensacola (Fort Walton Beach), AL-FL
Philadelphia, PA
Lafayette, LA
Saint Louis, MO
Boston (Manchester), MA-NH
Washington, DC (Hagerstown), MD
Monroe-El Dorado, LA-AR
Denver, CO
Seattle-Tacoma, WA
Biloxi-Gulfport, MS
Jackson, MS
Kansas City, MO-KS
Tampa-Saint Petersburg (Sarasota), FL
Little Rock-Pine Bluff, AR
Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN
Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL
Austin, TX
Cleveland-Akron (Canton), OH
Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne, FL
San Antonio, TX
Baltimore, MD
Phoenix (Prescott), AZ
Raleigh-Durham (Fayetteville), NC
Birmingham (Anniston and Tuscaloosa), AL
Other
5.6
4.2
3.6
3.5
3.1
3.0
2.3
2.1
2.0
1.9
1.9
1.9
1.7
1.7
1.7
1.6
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.2
1.2
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.0
1.0
1.0
38.7
Total
100.0
UNO Hospitality Research Center
67
Annual Report - 2015
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
Appendix D
Activities Participated in While Visiting the
New Orleans Area
UNO Hospitality Research Center
68
Annual Report - 2015
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
Activities Participated in While in New Orleans - Other
(With vs. Without Children)
Response
Insectarium
Harrah's Casino
Gambling
Parades
Carriage ride
Superdome
Other museums
Children's Museum
Ferry on Mississippi
N.O. Museum of Art
Sporting events
N.O. School of Cooking
City Park
Hurricane Katrina tour
LA State Museum
Bicycle tour
Ogden Museum
Volunteering/Voluntourism
Other places
Other activities
UNO Hospitality Research Center
Visitors With
Visitors Without
Children
Children
Percent of Cases Percent of Cases
9.8
9.5
9.4
8.5
8.3
7.3
7.2
6.7
5.6
5.2
5.2
4.1
3.9
2.9
2.7
1.8
0.7
0.3
12.6
2.4
2.7
26.0
20.3
11.0
6.6
5.8
8.4
0.2
9.5
7.1
3.0
5.6
2.0
6.4
3.8
1.9
1.6
0.6
10.7
2.4
69
Annual Report - 2015
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
Activities Participated in While in New Orleans - Other
(First Time vs. Repeat Visitor)
Response
Other museums
Hurricane Katrina tour
Carriage ride
N.O. Museum of Art
Superdome
N.O. School of Cooking
Audubon Zoo
Insectarium
LA State Museum
Sporting events
Bicycle tour
City Park
Ogden Museum
Children's Museum
Volunteering/Voluntourism
Other places
Other activities
UNO Hospitality Research Center
First Time
Visitors Percent
of Cases
Repeat Visitors
Percent of
Cases
9.3
7.7
7.0
6.8
6.5
6.0
4.6
3.6
3.3
3.1
2.6
2.3
1.2
0.8
0.3
9.3
1.5
7.3
4.3
6.7
6.9
5.5
4.9
5.8
3.6
4.0
3.5
1.2
2.2
1.8
1.3
0.7
12.4
3.1
70
Annual Report - 2015
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
Activities Participated in While in New Orleans
(“Other Places and Other Activities”)
On this trip, what places did you visit or activities did you participate in?
“OTHER” RESPONSES 2015
Response
Self-guided tours
New Orleans neighborhoods
Jazz Fest
Preservation Hall
Universities
Louis Armstrong Park
Family or friends
Convention Center
State & Local Parks
Art galleries/antique shops
Audubon Park
Jean Lafitte National Preserve
Algiers Point
Fairgrounds Racetrack
Cooking class
Smoothie King Center
Villalobos Rescue Center
Churches
Lake Pontchartrain
French Quarter Festival
Bayou St. John
Commander's Palace
Fishing trip
Pat O'Briens
Malls/Shopping
Cruise
Oyster Festival
Pedi Cabs
Northshore
Navy Week
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
Chalmette Battlefield
Blues and BBQ Fest
Cafe Beignet
Craft Bars and Liquor
House Shopping
Nola Motorsports Park
Psychics
Rock N Bowl
UNO Hospitality Research Center
Frequency
80
73
51
33
31
27
22
20
19
18
15
15
12
12
11
11
11
10
10
9
8
8
7
7
7
6
6
6
6
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
71
Annual Report - 2015
Rock n Roll Marathon
Saenger Theater
Ursuline Convent
Voodoo
Willie Mae's Scotch House
Cinema
Baton Rouge
Emeril's Delmonico
Houma
House of Blues
Longue Vue House and Gardens
Mulate's
Music Legends Park
NCIS filming
NOWFE
Oak Street
Parade Balls
Record stores
Satchmo SummerFest
Snug Harbor
Southern Decadence
Cajun and Zydeco music festival
Festival
Riverside
Abita Brewery
Acme Oyster House
American Horror Story Filming locations
Bird Watching
Bookstores
Carousel Bar
Civic Theatre
Cochon
Comic Con Convention
Creole Tomato Festival
Dooky Chase
Dragos
Garth Brooks concert
Gumbo Festival
House of Feather's and Dance
Jazz Clubs
Lafayette Square
Lighthouse & Greek Festival
LPO
Luke's
Morning Call
NOCCA
NOCE
NOLA Brewery
Seafood Festival
UNO Hospitality Research Center
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
72
Annual Report - 2015
St. Joseph's Night
Surrey's
Synagogues
The Fly
Alligator farm
Running of the Bulls
200 Bicentennial Battle
Absinthe House
Donner-Peltier Distillery
Amy Shumer comedy show
Angola Prison Rodeo
Apple Store
Arnaud's
Avery Island
Bacchanal
Bastille Day
Bayona's
Bayou Boogaloo
Bayou Sorrel
Benjamin Franklin High School
Besh restaurants
Bonfires on the levee
Boudin,Bourbon,and Beer Festival
Brennan's
Brocato Bakery
Camellia Grill
Chart House
Congo Square
Coquette
Creole Gumbo Festival
Crescent Park
DBA
Degas House
Dulac
East Jeff Hospital
Electric car rental
Essence Fest
Extravaganza
Faulkner House Bookstore
Felixs oyster house
Frady's
Fulton Bowl
Gardens
GoodWill
Gospel Brunch
Gulf Coast
Halloween
Hand Grenades
Hard Rock Cafe
UNO Hospitality Research Center
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
73
Annual Report - 2015
HBCU campuses
Healing Center of New Orleans
Helen Brett Show
Hermann-Grima House
Historical Society on Bourbon
Houston's
Howlin Wolf
IMAX theatre
Improv show
Int'l Film Fest & Blues Fest
Irene's Cuisine
Jacques-Imo's
Jewelery show
Johnny Sacco's & area
Johnny's po-Boys
Joy Theater
Katrina Hotel
K-Paul's
La Petit Theatre
Laffittes and Absinthe house
Lake Martin
Langlois
Legend Park
Levees
Lexinton battle ship
Library
Mandinas
Mannings
Maple Leaf
Maple Street
Mardi Gras
Melting pot
Metairie
Military Base
Monkey House
Monteleone Hotel
Mothers Restaurant
Mr. B.
Musical awards program
N O Glassworks & Printmaking
Napoleon House
Old New Orleans Rum Distillery
Oschner Hospital
Papa noel levy viewing
Parline Connection
Photography
Po-Boy festival
Port of New Orleans
Prince Conti Hotel
UNO Hospitality Research Center
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
74
Annual Report - 2015
Project B
Promenade Fabric Store
Recon for next trips
Red Cross Training
Rivershack Tavern
Road Food Fest
Rob Bell event
Rodrigue's Studio
Roosevelt Hotel
Ruby Bridges Scool
RV Park
Sazerac
Shooting range
Shows
Slavery
Snake Oil Festival
St Louis Cathedral Christmas Concert
Sucre
Super Bowl
Tattoo
Terminator the Musical
The Joll Inn
the longest bridge
The Originals TV Show
Theatre
Thibodeau
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Urgent Care Center
Venice, LA
Washington Square
Wein Center
West Bank
William Faulkner's house
Zone Music Reporter Awards Show
UNO Hospitality Research Center
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
75
Annual Report - 2015
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
On this trip, what places did you visit or activities did you participate in?
Activities Participated in While Visiting the New Orleans Area (2014): All Visitors
French Quarter
Bourbon Street
Shopping
Casual Dining
Jackson Square
French Market
Canal Street
Bars/Nightclubs
Cafe du Monde
Other French Quarter
Garden District
Street Car
Music
Cemeteries
St. Louis Cathedral
Riverwalk Mall
Historic Sites
Fine Dining
Magazine Street
Frenchmen Street
Harrah's Casino
City Tour
WWII Museum
Gambling
Swamp Tour
River Boat Tour
Other Guided Tours
Plantations
Aquarium
Haunted Tour
Mardi Gras World
Parades
Ferry on Mississippi
Superdome
Other Museums
Carriage Ride
N.O. Museum of Art
Hurricane Katrina Tour
Audubon Zoo
N.O. School of Cooking
Sporting Events
LA State Museum
Insectarium
Canal Street Shopping
City Park
Bicycle Tour
Ogden Museum
Children's Museum
Volunteering/Voluntourism
Other Places*
Other Activities*
95.4%
82.7%
81.9%
81.1%
71.1%
70.7%
69.6%
64.9%
64.8%
61.7%
51.0%
48.3%
45.4%
45.1%
42.8%
42.5%
41.6%
40.5%
39.5%
36.2%
27.4%
26.2%
24.3%
22.1%
17.8%
17.4%
16.4%
15.7%
12.2%
10.5%
9.8%
8.7%
2014 n=87,490
8.4%
7.7%
7.3%
7.2%
7.0%
6.4%
6.1%
5.1%
3.9%
3.8%
3.7%
3.0%
1.9%
1.7%
1.6%
1.0%
1.0%
11.7%
3.1%
Total equals more than 100% due to multiple responses.
UNO Hospitality Research Center
76
Annual Report - 2015
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
“OTHER” RESPONSES 2014
Response
Self-Guided Tour
New Orleans Neighborhoods
Universities
Jazz Fest
Preservation Hall
Louis Armstrong Park
Convention Center
Art Galleries/Antique Shops
Treme
Audubon Park
Sightseeing
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park
Smoothie King Arena
Algiers
Faubourg Marigny
National Parks
Walking
Baton Rouge
Lake Pontchartrain
Rum Distillery
Villalobos Rescue Center
French Quarter Festival
Wedding
Chalmette Battlefield
Cooking School
Restaurants
Riverfront
Slidell
Wizard World Comic Con
Commander's Palace
Fishing
Racetrack Fair Grounds
Voodoo Fest
Honey Island
Mother's Restaurant
Seafood Festival
Gumbo Festival
Lafayette
Shopping Mall
Avery Island
Bayous
Blues And BBQ Festival
Boudin Bourbon & Beer Festival
Church
Congo Square
UNO Hospitality Research Center
Frequency
73
49
46
42
40
30
28
27
25
23
20
19
19
17
13
13
12
11
11
11
11
10
10
9
9
9
9
9
9
8
8
8
8
7
7
7
6
6
6
5
5
5
5
5
5
77
Annual Report - 2015
Imax
N.O. Jazz National Park
Nola Brewery
Oyster Festival
Po Boy Festival
Saenger Theatre
Tabasco Factory
Tipitina's
Wrestlemania
Biking
Biloxi
Bonfires
Central Market
Christmas Event
Drago's
Jazz Venues
Katrina
Kayaking
Morning Call
Music Venues
Spa
Tennessee Williams Festival
Visit Family And Friends
Abita Brewery
Acme Oyster House
Bird Watching
Cafe Beignet
Court Of Two Sisters
Crescent City Cooks
Deanie's Seafood
Emeril's
Film Festival/Theater
Golfing
Haunted Houses
House Of Blues
Mardi Gras
Metairie
New Orleans Wine & Food Festival
New Year's Eve
Northshore
Oak St.
Pedicab
Red Dress Run
Satchmo Summerfest
St. Charles Avenue
Theaters
Touro Synagoge
Ursuline´S Convent
Voodoo Shops
UNO Hospitality Research Center
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
78
Annual Report - 2015
Voodoo Temple
American Horror Story Sites
Antoine's Restaurant
Battle Of The Barges
Bayou Boogaloo
Breaux Bridge
Buffa's
Cruise Terminal
Elks Convention
Ellis Marsalis Center
Essence Festival
Fleurty Girl
Food Fest
Gay Bars
Grand Isle
Greek Festival
Halloween Parade
Hat Shop
House Hunting
House Of Marie Laveau
Jamie Hayes Gallery
Lighthouse
Long Vue Gardens & Home
Mahalia Jackson Theater
New Orleans Witches' Ball
Pasquale Manales
Pat O' Briens
Pitot House
Plum Street Snowballs
Port Of New Orleans
Psychic Reading
Rock N' Bowl
Scavenger Hunt
Street Performers
Tammany Trace
Tarot Reading/ Hand Reading
Tattoo Convention/ Parlor
Voodoo Museum
4th Of July Fireworks
Abbeville
Airshow
Anne Rice Home
Auburn Restaurants
Aunt Sally's
Baccanal Wine Bar
Basin Street Station
Bayou Country Fest
Bayou Lafourche
Bayou St John
UNO Hospitality Research Center
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
79
Annual Report - 2015
Beau Rivage
Beignet
Betsys' Cafe
Black History
Blind Pelican
Boat Trip
Boca Raton
Bon Ton
Boutique Du Vampire
Brennan's
Breweries
Broccato's
Brothers Cafe
Bubba Gump
Bucktown, Lake Pontchartrain Restaurants
Cafe Retitude
Cajun Cooking Experience
Cajun Encounters
Camelia Grill
Carousel Bar
Carrollton
Casino
Cats Meow
Chalmette Pool Hall
Charity Event
Cheap Airfare
Chickie Wah Wah
Cleaver & Co
Columns Hotel
Comedy Show, Tango Event
Community Carnival
Contemporary Art Center
Convention Of Jehovah's Witnesses
Crawfish Festival
Creole Cottage Restaurant
Crescent City Brewery
Crescent City Run
Crescent Park
El Gato Negro
Decatur Street
Degas House
Deja Vue
Dooky Chase Restaurant
Drink And Learn, Elizabeth Pearce
Dwayne Dopsie At Krazy Korner
Edgar Degas House
Electric Ladyland Tattoo
Erin Rose
Esplanade St.
UNO Hospitality Research Center
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
80
Annual Report - 2015
Family
Famous Door
Fashion Week Nola
Faulkner Bookstore - Literary Sites
Feret Street Fair
Festivals
Flooded Areas
Fort
French Quarter Gem & Lapidary
Fresh Seafood Market, Crawfish Boil Store
Friend's Hangouts
Fringe Festival
Fritzel's
Galatoires
Galvez
Genealogy Research
Geocaching
Global Wildlife Center
Golden Girls Club Celebration
Gospel Brunch
Gravier Street Social, Make It Right Foundation
Gulf Coast
Gulfport
Gumbo Lesson With John Gro
Gw Finns
Had Car-Went Out Of Town
Half Marathon
Harbor Seafood
Harley Davidson Shops
Herman Grimma House
Historic Book Stores
Historic Hotel
Homes House
Houma
House Of Dance & Feathers
Imagination Movers Concert
Indian Parade And Second Line
Insta-Gator Ranch
Irene's
Irvin Mayfield Playhouse
James Taylor Concert
Jazz Heritage
Jimmy Johns
Knitting Shop
Kpaul's
La Seafood Festival
Lafitte Square
Langlois Cooking School
Levee
UNO Hospitality Research Center
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
81
Annual Report - 2015
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
Library
Literary Locations
Local Stores
LSPCA
Mandina's
Mardi Gras Indians
Mardi Gras Warehouse
Market
Marriot
Mayfield Playhouse
Murder Wall
N.O. East
National Baptist Convention
National Wildlife Refuges
Naughty In N'awlins Convention
Neighborhood Walks
New Iberia
New Orleans Cooking Experience
New Orleans Glassworks
New Orleans Historic Collection
New Orleans Historical Research Center
New Orleans School Of Glassworks & Printmaking
Studio
No Burlesque Festival
Nola Historical Collection
Nola Yacht Club
Norwegian Seemen Church
Old Haunts Of The Family
Our Old House
Palmer Park
Parkway Bakery
Pearl River
Perf. Arts Center
Photo Walk
Piano Bars
Play
Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival
Private Home
Prytania Theater
Pt Hudson
Ques & Deltas Annual Party
Relaxing
Renaissance Hotel Lobby
Researching Book
Restoration Jazz
Rev Zombie's Voodoo Shop
Road Trips
Rodrigue
Ruth Chris Steakhouse
UNO Hospitality Research Center
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
82
Annual Report - 2015
Santa's Secret Workshop
Signature Drinks
Sketching
Snug Harbor
Some Top Chefs
Southern Decadence
Spring Fiesta Tour Sites
St Joseph’s Night
St. Francisville
Sugar Mill
Taking Photographs
Tales Of The Cocktail
Tayho Tavern
Teddy Bear Tea At The Roosevelt
Temai(Black)Area
The Columns
The Fly
The Joint
Theresa Caputo Show
TPC Louisiana
Tradeshow Workboat 2014
Uptown Maple Leaf
USS Kidd
Washington Square
West Bank
Wildlife Refuges
Williams House
Willie Mae's Restaurant
Wine And Painting
WWOZ
Zephyr's Stadium
Zuka Baby
Zydeco Fest
UNO Hospitality Research Center
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
83
Annual Report - 2015
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
Appendix E
Definitions of Key Terms
UNO Hospitality Research Center
84
Annual Report - 2015
New Orleans Area Visitor Profile
Definitions of Key Terms
Visitor: Any person who comes to New Orleans and who lives outside the New Orleans
Metropolitan Area. The parishes included in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area are Jefferson,
Plaquemines, Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, and St. Tammany. The term
traveler is also used as synonym. Using the word “tourist” may be confusing to people who are
unaware that business travelers or meeting attendees are tourists as much as leisure travelers.
Overnight Visitor: Any visitor who spends at least one night in the New Orleans Metro Area.
Daytripper: Any visitor who does not stay overnight in the New Orleans Metro Area.
Short Term Visitor: Any visitor who stayed in the New Orleans Metro Area for up to 14 days.
Long Term Visitor: Any visitor who stayed in the New Orleans Metro Area for 15 or more days.
Association, Convention, Trade Show, and Corporate Meeting Visitors: All visitors who indicate
that their primary purpose of visit is to attend a gathering such as a convention, trade show,
exposition, or corporate meeting.
Business Visitors: All visitors who indicate that their primary purpose of visit is to conduct
business in the New Orleans Metro Area.
Leisure Visitors: All visitors who indicate that their primary purpose of visit is to vacation, visit
friends and relatives, attend a special event, go to a sporting event, shop, dine out, gamble, or
for entertainment. Visitors who pass through are also categorized as leisure visitors.
Statistical Terms:
Median: The median is the number that lies at the midpoint of a distribution. It divides the
distribution of scores ranked from lowest to highest into two equal halves. For example, if the
scores are 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8, the median would be 5, where 5 is the midpoint with two scores above
and two scores below.
Mean: The arithmetic mean is the sum of all scores divided by the number of scores. This measure
is often called average. For example, if the scores are 1, 3, 4, 6 and 9, the mean would be 4.6.
The mean and the median are measures of central tendency. In other words, they indicate the
most representative score in the group. The median is helpful when the mean does not make
sense (e.g., “average party size” or “average number of kids per family” of 2.5), or when the mean
is affected by extreme scores (i.e., outliers). In certain cases, some high spenders may pull the
mean expenditure up. In such situation, the median will report a measure that is a more
appropriate representation of the distribution.
UNO Hospitality Research Center
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