Local Life: New Orleans

New Orleans constitutes one of America’s unique travel destinations, and the throngs who flock to hear jazz and ride the streetcar play a major role in the socioeconomic makeup of the city. As New Orleanians play host to the world’s revelers, they find themselves at a complex intersection of money, politics, and cultural heritage.

Leigh Wright captures a snapshot of local perspectives on tourism in this nuanced collection of interviews. From reflections on the demands of working in the French Quarter to the housing turmoils caused by short-term rental companies such as Airbnb, Wright amplifies the diverse voices of inhabitants whose livelihoods, incomes, and pastimes are molded by tourism.