ASTA to Contribute to New Orleans’ Recovery

Working with its board of directors and its travel agent and supplier members, ASTA wants to contribute to accelerating New Orleans’ recovery after Hurricane Katrina by promoting travel to the city.

ASTA said it is actively negotiating to hold its upcoming board of directors meeting in New Orleans August 6-7, and actively negotiating to hold other key internal meetings in the Crescent City over the next 18 months. Last month, ASTA held its Corporate Advisory Council Meeting and the third Premium Member Business Summit in New Orleans.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the surrounding Gulf Coast region. According to the 2000 census, approximately 484,600 residents called New Orleans home; in 2006, the year after Hurricane Katrina, this number was reduced by more than half. As a result, and despite recent population growth, New Orleans now relies heavily on tourist dollars for revenue, ASTA said.