Microsoft Word 2007 ichrie conference Proceedings Final-Final 06-06-07. doc

 
ABSTRACT 
This paper examines the opinions of younger residents of the city of New Orleans as it recovers from the 
devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. Generation Y represents the future of the city and although the results of 
the study show a tremendous support for tourism planning and development there were differences of opinions 
found based on spatial factors and also on ethnicity. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
New Orleans has been an attractive visitor destination for more than a century. In recent years, the tourism 
industry in New Orleans has boasted record numbers in visitors to the city and visitor expenditures. In August 2005, 
Hurricane Katrina forever altered the city of New Orleans and had a major impact on the tourism industry of the 
city. 
In the wake of natural disasters such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 and the earthquake off the 
Hawaiian Island of Oahu in 2006, the tourist communities surrounding these areas are burdened to rebuild the areas. 
The desire to rebuild has long reaching social, cultural and economic impacts for communities and literature on 
these events focus on the speculation of timetables to rebuild, the impact the events have on tourism, and crisis 
management for the future (Foster, 2006; Sharpley, 2005; Tipple, 2005). Bierman (2003) identified five types of 
events that could affect a tourism destination, including war and conflict, crime, terrorism, natural disasters, and 
health related crises. Other case studies included the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 (Henderson, 2005); SARS 
(Henderson and Ng, 2004; Wen et al. 2005); Bali bombings in 2002 (Hitchcock & Putra, 2005); terrorists attacks on 
September 11, 2001 (Stafford et. al. 2002); U.K. Foot and Mouth disease (Williams & Ferguson, 2005); Asian 
financial crisis (Henderson, 1999); political turmoil (Ioannides and Apostolopoulos, 1999; Richter, 1999); and 
floods (Faulkner and Vikulov, 2001). A common theme among these case studies was the enumeration of crisis 
management strategies used and the evaluation of the applicability of different crisis management models. However, 
the literature on the opinions of the residents in the affected areas is sparse and is an area that requires investigation. 
Age has been explored as a factor in resident attitudes toward tourism development and should continue to 
receive attention as progressing generations seek tourist destinations in which to work and play. Generation Y, those 
born between 1977 and 1994, number approximately 72 million and “as they begin working and their buying power 
increases, this segment will more than rival the baby boomers in spending and marketing influence” (Kotler, Bowen, 
and Makens, 2006. p.123). Many members of this generation were attending school or entering the workforce as 
Hurricane Katrina hit the city of New Orleans. Subsequently, members of this generation are not only a part of the 
rebuilding effort in the city but more importantly, represent the future leaders of New Orleans. This study aims to 
examine the attitudes of Generation Y towards New Orleans tourism in the post-Katrina environment. The study 
addresses the loyalty of Generation Y to the New Orleans community and determines if other demographics such as 
race and spatial factors impact the attitudes of Generation Y towards New Orleans tourism in the Post-Katrina 

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