Article: Perception vs. Reality: a Louisiana dilemma

A Feb. 9 article in the Houston Chronicle demonstrates the power of perception and its impact on the economy in parts of Katrina-ravaged Louisiana.

A few tidbits from the article:

- Perception vs. reality. That's a dilemma throughout much of Louisiana.

- During 2005, tourism generated $8 billion in revenue in Louisiana. If not for Katrina, that figure likely would have exceeded $10 billion. By contrast, tourism revenue for 2006 was closer to $5.2 billion.

- State officials are concerned that scenes of devastation and sadness repeatedly flashed on television screens have a lingering effect in scaring people away even from attractions that have recovered or were never seriously damaged by Katrina or Hurricane Rita.

Click here for the full article