City Leaders and Tourism Officials Launch New Healthy Hospitality Initiative

NEW ORLEANS – Today, Mayor LaToya Cantrell and the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC) in partnership with 504HealthNet, launched the new Healthy Hospitality Initiative at the Jazz and Heritage Center.

Tourism leaders and 504HealthNet have worked on this initiative over the past year to provide New Orleans hospitality workers access to high-quality, affordable healthcare. Tourism and Health Care agencies collaborated and held listening sessions with hospitality workers to ensure the program addresses their needs. The initiative includes a new website, extended clinic hours, and a dedicated team that works directly with the city’s hospitality workers.

“As someone who came up through the ranks in the hotel industry, from laundry to front desk to night auditor, right here in New Orleans, I know firsthand the need that exists here,” said Mayor Cantrell. “I would like to thank our Health Director. Dr. Avegno, the New Orleans City Council, and our partners here today for their unwavering support of our hospitality workers. The City of New Orleans, under my leadership, will always be committed to better outcomes for the people who make our City what she truly is by giving everything that they have for our industry, tourists, and all of us who call New Orleans home. We will not stand down. Through partnerships like this, we will continue to stand tall and ensure all of our people have affordable and accessible healthcare.”

There are 17 participating health care organizations, operating 58 clinic sites, and one hospital system with five sites that are a part of this initiative. The initiative was introduced with a press conference and a community event for hospitality workers, which included free glucose testing, blood pressure screenings, massages, STD testing, and more.

“We are very excited to announce the Healthy Hospitality initiative for the great men and women in the hospitality industry that provide our visitors and locals with an authentic New Orleans experience,” said Mark Romig, NOTMC President and CEO. “Following a proactive year of convening, working alongside partners and a year’s work of testing with hospitality workers, we are proud to stand here today.”

504HealthNet developed and implemented a systems-level approach to build stronger community-clinical linkages for the hospitality industry that will decrease barriers for workers to access health care.

“By answering the call to action, we were able to work with data and clinic networks to provide more services, such as concierge services that are culturally competent for hospitality workers, as well as hiring a dedicated navigator for support,” said Tiffany Netters, Executive Director of 504HealthNet.

The Healthy Hospitality Initiative will ensure hospitality workers have access to the health care services needed to sustain their quality of life.

“Hospitality workers are at the heart of our city, and by providing high-quality and affordable health care, we can better take care of our citizens, their families and the future of our hospitality industry,” said Councilmember Jason Williams.