New Orleans’ tax-funded tourism marketing organization shifts the blame for repeated violations of COVID-19 safety rules in Bourbon Street and in other areas that satisfy tourists by accusing locals of being the problem.
In an email addressed to members and colleagues, New Orleans & Company CEO Stephen Perry wrote that residents were behind the recent scenes of ‘serious unsafe behavior’ that prompted Mayor LaToya Cantrell to push controversial new rules on to lay which will come into force in the last few days. the Carnival season.
On February 5, Cantrell announced that pubs across the city would be closed from February 12 to 16, in addition to some streets that are usually full of celebrations, to mitigate the continued spread of COVID-19.
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Cantrell and New Orleans & Company have both been criticized for encouraging visitors to travel to New Orleans, despite the risks of traveling during a pandemic.
But Perry, whose organization represents local businesses and multinational hotel chains, insists residents are guilty.
“Our own residents have created a dilemma for the government,” the letter reads.
Perry also appealed to city officials, who were scrutinized for lax enforcement of rules, to re-examine the way they deal with violations of the code, and a blatantly “illegal public gathering.”
“It was not the small number of responsible tourists we offered, or the majority of our citizens and businesses,” Perry said.
Perry also criticized “young people” from New Orleans, specifically referring to a recent party at Uptown Bar Monkey Hill attended by crowds of college students.
In recent weeks, an increase in visitors has descended on the city for fun, although figures are nowhere near previous years.
Despite the message from city officials to ‘act like a local’ and wear a face mask while avoiding crowds, the documents that are regularly documented show people violating the mandates, and gathering en masse at popular tourist destinations that does not attract the residents, including Bourbon Street. And last month, a Oklahoma tourist shot dead a homeless man in the French Quarter.
Some downtown hotels said last week they expect to fill rooms with outsiders over the next few days, expecting them to reach up to 50% or 60% capacity, despite the cancellation of parades and other traditional celebrations.
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Hotels are not subject to the same occupancy rules as restaurants or other establishments – except in common areas such as foyers and elevators.
Perry – who also quarreled with the mayor last May over restrictions – called Cantrell’s latest decision ‘problematic’ and said he was concerned about the optics.
“We are concerned that our brand will be affected by uncomfortable messages in the city,” he wrote. “This is where locals do stupid things and that the compliance and quick response of the city in real time is weak or non-existent.”
Read the whole letter here.