We've got to counter the idea in people's heads that we're still under water. We've got 800 restaurants open and we're ready for business.

People from around the country still think New Orleans is under water. One of the quickest ways to rebuild the city is through the tourist industry. Fortunately, the tourist destinations were mostly spared.

Not celebrating Mardi Gras would have been a defeat.

Just looking at the crowd it's certainly better than we ever dreamed six months ago. Mardi Gras was significant in ways we've never seen before. This has been a homecoming for locals and for our tourists as well.

Going into the carnival season, we really didn't know what to expect. But it has been heartwarming ? the support tourists have shown for our city.

We didn't know what to expect, but this has been a wonderful Mardi Gras. It's been a boost to the economy and to the spirits of the populace.