Los Angeles vs New Orleans

Los Angeles leads New Orleans by 3 points on the CIRA Index, 74 to 71. Los Angeles grades better on 9 measures, New Orleans on 4; the same 35 measures from public sources for both.

Scores by each organisation's criteria

• CIRA Index: Los Angeles 74, New Orleans 71
• OECD: Los Angeles 73, New Orleans 67
• UN Tourism: Los Angeles 73, New Orleans 73
• UNDRR: Los Angeles 64, New Orleans 73

Theme by theme

• Demand and seasonality: Los Angeles 79, New Orleans 67
• Economy and jobs: Los Angeles 94, New Orleans 67
• Climate and hazards: Los Angeles 60, New Orleans 40
• Water and environment: Los Angeles 56, New Orleans 69
• Community and housing: Los Angeles 67, New Orleans 67
• Access and continuity: Los Angeles 83, New Orleans 96

Where Los Angeles is stronger

• Largest foreign market: 29.5 % of international arrivals or nights (region figure) (Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board / Road Genius, 2023). Between 20 and 30: grade 2/4.
• Average length of stay: 3.6 nights per visitor (Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LATCB), Marketing and Planning Resource, 2018). At or above 3.5: grade 4/4.
• Hotel bed or room occupancy: 71.7 % average annual occupancy (Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board / Tourism Economics, 2023). Between 65 and 75: grade 3/4.
• Jobs in tourism industries: 6.3 % of employment in accommodation and food services (country figure) (World Economic Forum, TTDI 2026 (data: Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Research by World Travel & Tourism Council; Travel & Tourism by World Travel & Tourism Council), 2026). At or below 8: grade 4/4.
• Unemployment rate: 5 % of the labour force (metro figure) (California Employment Development Department (EDD) / U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, August 2026). At or below 5: grade 4/4.
• Tropical nights: 8.2 nights a year with a minimum at or above 20°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). At or below 10: grade 4/4.
• Wastewater safely treated: 100 % of domestic wastewater safely treated (LADWP / LA Sanitation & Environment (LASAN), 2024). At or above 95: grade 4/4.
• Green space: 24.9 % of the urban area that is green or tree-covered (USDA Forest Service / TreePeople & Loyola Marymount University CURes assessment, 2020). Between 20 and 30: grade 2/4.
• Dedicated tourism funding: A dedicated source plus a reserve or stabilisation fund for downturns (City Administrative Officer, City of Los Angeles, Proposed Budget Blue Book, 2022–2024). Grade 4/4.

Where New Orleans is stronger

• Water scarcity: very low (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 4/4.
• Municipal waste per resident: 405.3 kg per resident per year (Louisiana Legislative Auditor, City of New Orleans - Residential Trash and Recyclables Collection, 2024). Between 350 and 450: grade 3/4.
• Early warning and emergency plan: An updated, tested plan that names visitors and tourism operators, with warnings in several languages (City of New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOLA Ready), 2025-2026). Grade 4/4.
• Tourism crisis and recovery plan: A plan tested in an exercise or a real event, with lessons published (New Orleans & Company, 2025). Grade 4/4.

Country context (World Economic Forum)

• United States: #2 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
• United States: #2 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026

Los Angeles in full · New Orleans in full

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