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Louisiana Lt. Gov. talks Mardi Gras, tourism on third hour of Good Morning America
and last updated 2021-02-16 12:24:19-05
Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser was on the third hour of Good Morning America on Tuesday to discuss how the state would be celebrating Mardi Gras this year and encouraging tourists to return to the Gulf Coast.
Nungesser says that Mardi Gras has about a $1 billion impact on the state each year. That impact was not being felt in 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In New Orleans, Nungesser said that hotel bookings were down to 18 percent for the Mardi Gras holiday due to strict closures which included bars across the city.
Mardi Gras parades were cancelled in New Orleans for the first time in more than 40 years.
But New Orleans residents have found a creative solution: turn their houses themselves into floats.
The drive to create “house floats” is supporting a community of local artists who lost their jobs.
Mardi Gras looks different for New Orleans residents this year.
Back in November, Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced the cancellation of festivities. The city made a point to note that while Mardi Gras itself can’t be cancelled, the city won’t be able to “celebrate the holiday this year as we have in the past.”