FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:

Kristian Sonnier, New Orleans CVB, 504-481-7933, ksonnier@neworleanscvb.com
Lea Sinclair, NOTMC, 504-491-5330, lea@notmc.com

Southern Living Names New Orleans One of the "South's Best Cities"
Additionally, seven New Orleans institutions included on "South's Best" lists

NEW ORLEANS - (April 5, 2017) New Orleans continues to garner attention as Southern Living releases its first annual "South's Best" awards, naming New Orleans one of the top cities in the South as well as recognizing several New Orleans restaurants, hotels, bars and museums.

Southern Living's "South's Best" list applauds Southern destinations and their unique establishments that help to define the South. The first annual "South's Best" list surveyed more than 22,000 readers to learn fan favorites in 13 categories, including bars, hotels, islands, museums, restaurants and more.
Southern Living readers selected New Orleans as one of the "South's Best Cities" based on the city's "global cultural capital, some of the country's best restaurants and an incomparable music scene," as well as New Orleans' ability to "beautifully blend new and old like no other place."
The recognition of several New Orleans establishments proves that the hospitality industry in New Orleans is like no other, seeking to create the best guest experience for both visitors and locals. The 2017 "South's Best" of New Orleans are listed below.

Best Restaurants in the South:
No. 1: Commander's Palace
No. 9: Brennan's

Best Hotels in the South:
No. 5: Hotel Monteleone
No. 10: The Roosevelt New Orleans

Best Bars in the South:
No. 3: The Carousel Bar & Lounge in Hotel Monteleone
No. 5: Pat O'Brien's

Best Museums in the South:
No.5: The National WWII Museum

"This recognition by our visitors is proof positive that our unique culture and excellent hospitality offerings distinguish us from other southern destinations. We are grateful for our members' leadership whose passion for hospitality ensures that our city and its beloved establishments continue to rise to the top of such rankings and compel potential visitors to come and experience New Orleans," said Stephen Perry, President and CEO, New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau.
"We are always honored to receive accolades for our unique and authentic city, and New Orleans is especially proud when we get noticed by Southern Living," said Mark Romig, President and CEO of New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC). "The high quality and experience our hotels, restaurants, and musicians give to our city help us to achieve such high recognition."

This designation as one of the "South's Best Cities" joins a list of accolades for 2017, including Travel + Leisure including New Orleans one of "America's Most Charming Cities" in January 2017.

The full list of Southern Living's South's Best can be found here.

The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOCVB) is a nationally accredited, 1,100-member destination marketing organization and the largest and most successful private economic development corporation in Louisiana. The CVB and its members influence thousands of decision-makers and millions of visitors to choose New Orleans through direct sales, marketing, public relations, branding and visitor services at our New Orleans headquarters and offices in Chicago, Louisville, KY, Washington, D.C., the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Brazil and China. Consistently recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the country, the New Orleans CVB celebrates its 57th anniversary in 2017. For more information, please visit www.neworleanscvb.com; www.facebook.com/neworleans: www.twitter.com/visitneworleans.

The New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation is the City of New Orleans' official leisure travel promotion agency created to foster jobs and economic growth by developing the tourism industry in New Orleans. NOTMC is publicly funded and provides year-round online marketing, advertising, public relations and special event programming in order to support the growth of leisure travel to New Orleans. For more information, please visit www.neworleansonline.com.

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