Much of Louisiana Still Open for Tourists

Although the city of New Orleans has been devastated by Hurricane Katrina, much of the rest of Louisiana either is or will soon be open for visits from tourists -- and many parts of the state rely on tourism as a key to the local economy. For example, the Lafayette area is the heart of Cajun country -- about 130 miles west of New Orleans. "One of the big issues we face is most folks think that if New Orleans is gone, then the entire state is [gone] also," Gerald Breaux, executive director of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, recently told the Chicago Tribune. To see some of the bed and breakfasts in the Lafayette, Louisiana, area, visit BBonline.com and BedandBreakfast.com.