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Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles flags decorated the Voodoo Chicken & Daiquiris restaurant on Bourbon Street in anticipation of Super Bowl 59.
New Orleans is bracing for an influx of approximately 125,000 visitors, coinciding with a presidential visit during the Super Bowl weekend, where the Kansas City Chiefs, the current champions, will compete against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Caesars Superdome.
Local businesses are gearing up for the surge, and hotel occupancy rates are skyrocketing. According to Tripadvisor, there has been a staggering 637% increase in hotel room demand in New Orleans this week, as fans of both NFL teams scramble to secure accommodations. Interest levels have spiked dramatically, particularly from regions in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, which have reported over fourteenfold increases. Meanwhile, residents from Kansas and Missouri have shown an 8.5 times increase in lodging inquiries since the division championship games concluded at the end of January.
As of Thursday morning, the average price for a hotel room reached $650 per night, as reported by Hotels.com, part of the Expedia Group.
Among the local businesses, Caesars Entertainment is positioned prominently. In addition to its naming rights to the stadium where the championship game will unfold, Caesars is also the sole casino operating in New Orleans. The company has invested nearly $500 million into renovations at the former Harrah’s property, utilizing the Super Bowl event to showcase its brand to potential new customers.
This highly anticipated football matchup occurs just weeks following a tragic incident in New Orleans’ French Quarter that resulted in the deaths of 14 people, prompting a heightened sense of security throughout the city.
Security measures have intensified, with a robust presence from state and city police alongside the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. During an NFL briefing this week, officials reported that over 700 personnel from various Homeland Security agencies will be actively monitoring the situation throughout the Super Bowl event, especially with the announcement of President Trump’s plans to attend the game.
“I am confident that the safest areas to be in the country this weekend will be under the security framework our team has established,” stated Cathy Lanier, the NFL’s chief security officer.
In light of the recent violence, NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Miller noted that the league has enhanced its security strategies significantly. “We have added resources, and we are very optimistic about our preparations,” he shared with CNBC.
Source
www.cnbc.com