With Mardi Gras and festival season, Spring is an incredibly busy time for New Orleans – tourists are here nearly every weekend from February through May (not to mention weekdays!) to enjoy the very best of our city. But what happens in summertime?

Although summer can sometimes be a slower season economically, the path of a tourism dollar truly never stops. Here’s an example of the path of a tourism dollar during summer:

The Path of a Tourism Dollar

Charlie is a seasoned traveler who likes to get to know the cities he visits in the most authentic way. For Charlie, this often means visiting a place in their off-season, when he has more time to enjoy the local scene without the draw of tourist events and attractions. Charlie has done his homework and decides to visit New Orleans in the summer.

A carriage rolls past Napoleon House in the French Quarter. (Photo: Paul Broussard)

He makes it his mission on his trip to live as the locals live, and heads to Napoleon House in the French Quarter for a Pimm’s Cup in the courtyard. He also knows how valuable tourism is to the city of New Orleans, so he makes sure to leave a handsome tip for his server.

The server couldn’t have asked for better timing for his tip. His daughter is getting braces, and it’s an investment he knows is worth making. With this extra money, he’s able to add to her braces fund and book the appointment with her orthodontist. He calls the orthodontist’s office to schedule an appointment.

The receptionist at the orthodontist’s office was thrilled to schedule the appointment – she’s set a record number of appointments this month and knows her boss will give her a bonus. With the extra money in her pocket, she decides to spend a night on the town. She heads to the French Quarter to hear some live music when she gets a craving for – guess what – a Pimm’s Cup. She heads straight for Napoleon House, and the path of a tourism dollar keeps on going….

And there it is: a chain reaction of positive economic impact that helps locals across varying industries, all thanks to one simple purchase from a summertime tourist did his homework. Whether an industry is tourism-related or non-tourism-related, it doesn’t matter: the path of a tourism dollar touches them all. How does the path of a tourism dollar affect you?