Tourism Cares for New Orleans

Tourism Cares - What it's About
Tourism Cares is a non-profit organization tasked at giving back to the tourism community by preserving and protecting historical and cultural sites. The project at Armstrong Park was the 6th annual event. Thanks to generous sponsors, each Tourism Cares volunteer was provided with a t-shirt, hat, work gloves, goggles and amenity kit along with other goodies from the various sponsors and members of the community. Water, snacks and lunch were provided, too.

Various occupations make up the tourism industry including, motor coach operators, tour operators, travel agents, destination management organizations, travel writers, attractions, lodging accommodations, travel agents and restaurants.

Louis Armstrong Park - A Jazz Gem
Armstrong Park is significant in Louisiana's African-American Heritage Trail and was named for jazz legend Louis Armstrong. The site preserves historic Congo Square, officially named Beauregard Square. During the 1800s in New Orleans, African-Americans, free and enslaved, gathered in Congo Square on Sundays. It was the social gathering spot where African-Americans engaged in music, drumming and dancing. The music created at Congo Square unified the community and evolved into jazz. The site eventually gained popularity with tourists who came to listen to the music and watch the dancing.

The park is located in the city's Treme neighborhood, across Rampart Street and the French Quarter. It's the future site of the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park.

Tourism Cares - What I Did in New Orleans
Tourism Cares in New Orleans was kicked off with a reception the evening prior at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. Friday morning started out right with hot, fresh beignets and cafe au lait compliments of Cafe Du Monde in the French Market. A second line band jazzed the group up before our parade through the French Quarter from Cafe Du Monde to Armstrong Park.

The grand marshal for our traditional New Orleans parade was Louisiana's own Chef Paul Prudhomme. He tossed out colorful beads and samples of his Magic Seasoning Blends. Tourism Cares volunteers paraded behind and we waved bandanas to the folks who came out to see the parade. Many people thanked us for coming to New Orleans to help.

Louis Armstrong Park has been neglected since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005 and I was honored to work alongside other members of the tourism industry to help restore the historic site. My team painted a portion of the fence surrounding the 33-acre park while others worked on tree trimming, landscaping and light maintenance. When it was all over, I truly felt our work and presence in New Orleans was greatly appreciated and we ignited a spark for others to complete the project. I also felt a closer connection with my peers in the tourism industry since we were all tasked with the same goal.

The work day ended with John Quirk, Superintendent for the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, unveiling a refurbished bronze statue of Louis Armstrong with a plaque recognizing the efforts of Tourism Cares. Following was a taste of New Orleans in Congo Square including jazz, gumbo and muffuletta. We also learned the group photo taken earlier in the day was shown in New York City's Times Square. How cool is that?

Tourism Cares - See You in 2009
The 2009 project will be in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania April 16 - 18. I plan to make it and I challenge my colleagues in the tourism industry to attend, too. It feels good giving back.