New Orleans is often referred to as a “jewel of a city.” Of course she has many facets, but she is also a rare and desirable destination. In recognition of that, New Orleans was recently named the No. 5 Big City in the U.S. according to Condé Nast Traveler's Reader's Choice Awards 2015. New Orleans was ranked among other popular major U.S. cities like New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C., while beating out other cultural destinations like Austin and Seattle.
The awards have occurred annually for 28 years and survey Condé Nast readers. The rankings are based on readers’ responses in categories such as destinations, hotels, airports and cruise lines. The magazine has created separate categories for big cities and small cities to accommodate feedback from over 128,000 readers.
"New Orleanians have always known we are a top city in the U.S.," said Mark Romig, president and CEO of New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC). "It is a great honor to learn that all the voters in the Condé Nast Traveler poll agree with us and that they also recognize what a great destination New Orleans is."
This ranking builds on other recent polls by Condé Nast and others that shine a spotlight on New Orleans. In 2014 it was ranked one of the Top 25 Cities in the World on Condé Nast Traveler’s combined list of national and international destinations. New Orleans was also named the No. 2 "World's Best City" in the U.S. and Canada on Travel + Lesiure's annual reader survey, the No. 1 "U.S. City for Business Travelers" by Condé Nast Traveler, and one of the "Friendliest Cities in America" by Travel + Leisure.
What these rankings show is that New Orleans has a strong reputation, both in the U.S. and internationally, as a desirable place to visit. Our rare cultural attributes, combined with constantly improving hospitality offerings, have placed us well in a highly competitive market.
"New Orleans offers an incomparable experience for visitors — it's a place where jazz spills into the streets from music clubs, where internationally-renowned chefs bring their inspiration to the table and where history meets the modern-day, from our French and Spanish architecture to our customs," said Stephen Perry, president and CEO, New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. "The vitality of New Orleans shines through our hospitality, and this recognition from such a respected and trusted brand reconfirms New Orleans' position as an authentic, world-class destination."
