New Orleans Hospitality Companies

New Orleans Hospitality Companies serves as an "umbrella" for a diverse family of tourism businesses founded in the early 1970's. Operating from a recreational vehicle park in New Orleans East, the first bus offered visitors tours of New Orleans. New Orleans Tours grew to the current fleet of more than 100 vehicles that offer the best shuttle and sightseeing transportation in New Orleans. The first tour sales desk in a hotel opened in 1976.

In 1983, New Orleans Paddlewheels launched the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, an authentic reproduction of a 1,000 passenger Mississippi River excursion vessel, and followed with the 600 passenger Riverboat Cajun Queen in 1987. Destination Management, Inc., a full-service destination management company specializing in programs for convention, corporate, sports and incentive travel and DMI Travel, a full-service travel agency, opened their doors in 1989. Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours, operating three 60-passenger pontoon boats, began offering excursions into bayou country in 1990. Most recently, exciting, airboat tours were added.

In 1991, the city airport shuttle contract was awarded and Airport Shuttle, Inc. began with 45 11-passenger vans. A ride downtown on Airport Shuttle offers not only safe, clean transportation but a spirited narration by the driver on the wonders of New Orleans.

As the demand for hospitality-related services has grown in New Orleans, so has New Orleans Hospitality Companies. On The Town is a restaurant reservation service. In 1996, the Queen & Crescent Hotel, a 196-room European-style boutique hotel opened. In 2000, the former Ramada Inn was acquired and renamed the Garden District Hotel. In 2001, the Royal St. Charles Hotel opened to round out our family of hospitality companies.

Visitor Publishing, Inc. and Big Easy Magazine, 1993 additions, aid in publicizing our products to the tourism industry as well as to consumers looking for information on the many attractions and sightseeing opportunities in New Orleans.

New Orleans Hospitality Companies leads the industry and we take pride in the excellent reputations of our more than 800 employees. Our great products and unsurpassed guest service allow us to showcase the best of New Orleans. Through strong leadership and innovative approaches, we will continue to work together toward a secure and challenging future.