NTA, State Officials Monitor Gulf Spill Impact

The National Tour Association (NTA) is closely monitoring the oil spill situation in the U.S. Gulf Coast, the association reports, including input from NTA members. There are currently no effects of the oil spill on the beaches and, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) forecasts, no shoreline impact is expected for at least 72 hours. As of noon on Tuesday, May 4, the extent of any potential impact is unclear, the NTA says.

Alabama:  Alabama's beaches are still white and clean, says the Alabama Gulf Coast CVB.

Mississippi: The Mississippi Gulf Coast is open for business, according to updates from the Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB.

Florida: Florida is still unaffected by the oil spill. 

Fishing Closure: NOAA is closing commercial and recreational fishing in federal waters between the mouth of the Mississippi River to Florida's Pensacola Bay as a precautionary measure, the NTA says. The closure is in effect for at least 10 days. However, fishing is open in waters up to 20 miles out in the Gulf and inshore waters and charter boats are still going out from Orange Beach, NTA reports.

The Greater New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (NOCVB) is also monitoring the spill. In a statement the NOCVB said the cleanup presents no disruption for visitors traveling to New Orleans. “The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau is closely monitoring cleanup efforts of the rig centered oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico,” the statement reads. “We are in constant communication with officials from the City of New Orleans, the United States Coast Guard and the Command Center.”

New Orleans is located approximately 100 miles inland, and we do not anticipate any disruption in guest service or impact to visitors, New Orleans citizens or tourism industry businesses as oil reaches the coastline of Louisiana some 80-100 miles from New Orleans,” the CVB statement continued. “The Louisiana Coastline is expansive -- 77 percent of Louisiana seafood is harvested from the coastal waters west of the Mississippi River which remain open for fishing and are unaffected by the spill. Fishermen and suppliers are confident that there will not be an interruption in the nation’s ability to get quality Louisiana seafood,” the CVB said.

Visit www.NTAonline.com or www.neworleanscvb.com.