How about an article or articles on and about the real economic impact of Mardi Gras to the city and state? Not just the aftermath, but the total involvement of our communities in the production and execution of this colossal event.
Mardi Gras is certainly one of our largest annual income-producing events. Yes, the budget for the clean-up may be $1.5 million. Think about the show that all our krewes create, produce and present to us with no admission fee.
How many visitors travel to New Orleans to watch and participate? Calculate in the hotel, rent-a-car charges, taxis and ride sharing. What about the meals eaten, drinks drunk, gifts purchased? They all pay sales taxes to the city and state. It has to be many millions of dollars. As it continues to grow, so will the tax revenues.
Has or should the Mardi Gras krewes ask or demand a percentage of those revenues for putting on this show, defraying some of their costs?
Let’s not forget, we are a tourist destination; our livelihood depends on visitors. Many consider this the greatest “Greatest Free Show on Earth.”
Sadly, the shallow and short-sighted thinkers need to be educated on the cost-to-benefits ratio. We are clearly the winner.
DAVID SPIELMAN
New Orleans
Leave a Reply