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We offer the deepest and most profound thanks to the government leaders, individuals, trade organizations, and especially our clients, customers and New Orleans’ many visitors, for your overwhelming outpouring of support and affection for our city and people. You have touched our hearts. Your offers of assistance and your heartfelt expressions of eagerness to return to our city once we are back on our feet have moved us beyond words. We love our city, and your communication of hope and love for New Orleans has buoyed our spirits.
America's most romantic, walkable, historic city is not itself; how long is will be before we are back on our feet and welcoming you again to New Orleans, we do not know. We hope it will only be a matter of a few short months. The birthplace of jazz, home of magnificent European architecture, and originator of the most renowned cuisine on the planet has suffered a terrible blow. But the city’s spirit is strong, its people are resilient and its incredible history and character survive.
The historic French Quarter and nearly all the hospitality infrastructure survived Katrina and her aftermath very well, though somewhat battered. The amazing historic and cultural fabric of this unique city – all of those things that have drawn and enthralled millions of visitors from around the world – resiliently remain.
Several bars in the French Quarter are open, gathering spots for locals to visit and share stories, though there is nothing to sell or serve. A lone artist living on Pirates Alley next to the St. Louis Cathedral hung his paintings on the Jackson Square fence just like normal in a symbolic gesture to say that New Orleans French Quarter culture would absolutely rebound.
Though we will be down for a period, we know that we will be able to rebuild an even more welcoming, vibrant city in which to live, work and do business. The work will be hard, but gratifying. The challenges are immense. We are up to the task.
Government, business and tourism industry leaders have united, pledging that the city will begin its efforts right away to be reborn better than ever. What has made New Orleans world famous is sustained; now, we have an historic opportunity to be a living laboratory for turning disaster, infrastructure degradation, and societal ills into social, structural and economic renaissance. New Orleans will be a model for cultural preservation amid urban rebirth.
It may take a while.....but one day, the riffs of jazz trumpets, the indescribably tempting aromas wafting from the kitchens of our great chefs, the buzz of great conventions, the foot-wide magnetic smiles of hotel bellmen, and romantic strolls along the mighty Mississippi will return to the magic of daily life in New Orleans. The spirit of New Orleans’ multicultural tapestry of people is indefatigable, and though we may be bowed and emotionally stretched, we cannot be defeated. And we cannot wait to rebuild, to welcome you back to the authentic culture, history and hospitality of this city we all love.
J. Stephen Perry
President & CEO
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