New Orleans has once again cemented its status as a global hub of culture and creativity, earning the prestigious title of World’s Leading Creative Destination, awarded by the Creative Tourism Network®. This distinction celebrates the city’s dynamic fusion of heritage, innovation, and artistic expression, offering travelers the opportunity to immerse themselves in this rich cultural mosaic while co-creating a model for sustainable tourism.
Prestigious recognition on a global scale
Created by the Creative Tourism Network®, the Creative Tourism Awards, now in their 14th edition, highlight destinations, projects, and initiatives that promote creative and regenerative tourism, inviting visitors to experience activities characteristic of local cultures.
The Creative Tourism Network® is the World Organization for Creative Tourism, collaborating with UNESCO, UN Tourism, and numerous ministries around the world, strengthening its commitment to sustainable and community-based tourism models.
A jury of international experts evaluates the applications and selects five winners each year, based on criteria of authenticity, creativity, and co-creation. The selected projects and destinations are promoted through the Creative Tourism Network®’s international campaigns, highlighting their efforts in sustainable tourism.
Over the years, these prestigious Awards have rewarded destinations and projects as diverse as the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Industries, the city of Cannes (Côte d’Azur), the visionary project of Carlinhos Brown, Easter Island and famous UNESCO Creative Cities in Japan and South America.
Culture as a vital organ.
World-renowned as the birthplace of jazz and a melting pot of French, African, Spanish, and Caribbean influences, New Orleans is also distinguished by its strong community engagement, inviting travelers to become co-creators of experiences. Beyond its picturesque streets and vibrant music scene, the city offers a deeply immersive and fusional cultural experience. From jazz sessions on Frenchmen Street to community mural projects in Bywater, from spoken word performances to voodoo ceremonies, New Orleans is redefining tourism in a city where culture is lived.
Visitors can learn about Creole cuisine, participate in jazz masterclasses, create Mardi Gras costumes alongside local artisans, and even participate in parades!
This spirit of participation and exchange, which characterizes creative tourism, makes New Orleans THE destination par excellence for this virtuous tourism.
The Creative Tourism Network® highlighted this unique alchemy of authenticity and innovation, highlighting the city’s ability to engage both residents and travelers in a dynamic cultural exchange.
This distinction further recognizes the resilience, innovative vision, and creativity of New Orleans’ institutions, artists, and citizens, who infuse their passion into every aspect of daily life, making culture the city’s lifeblood.
New Orleans, a model of sustainable tourism on a global level
Caroline Couret, founder and executive director of Creative Tourism Network®, commended New Orleans for its commitment to sustainable cultural tourism.
“New Orleans is not just a destination; it’s above all a creative ecosystem.”
Its DNA reflects centuries of resilience, cultural diversity, and community expression. What makes the city exceptional is its ability to transform everyday life into art, and art into strong connections between locals and visitors from around the world.
Caroline Couret, Founder and CEO of Creative Tourism Network®
She also highlighted the example that New Orleans offers for the tourism development of creative cities around the world:
New Orleans stands out for its ability to develop a creative and sustainable tourism model that benefits local communities while offering meaningful and transformative experiences to visitors. A model to be followed by destinations of all types—globally.
Caroline Couret, Founder and Director of the Creative Tourism Network®
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New Orleans, world leader in creative tourism
This global recognition places New Orleans within a network of leading creative destinations committed to promoting cultural exchange and sustainable tourism.
This award paves the way for new collaborations and synergies between the Creative Tourism Network® and New Orleans, particularly as a strategic leader in the United States and Caribbean-influenced regions. New Orleans thus becomes an essential reference for the Creative Tourism Network®, generating future opportunities around upcoming international events.
For Caroline Couret: “Having had the chance to live in Louisiana, this distinction, more than just a reward, seems like a no-brainer to me!”
