New Orleans could see massive tax revenue boost from Taylor Swift shows

(The Center Square) — New Orleans is famous for its endless entertainment and nightlife from concerts to the French Quarter and, of course, the New Orleans Saints.

Much of that entertainment occurs in the various stadiums in New Orleans, most notably the recently renovated Caesars Superdome, which can house more than 70,000 people.

And when Taylor Swift takes the stage later this month in the Superdome with three highly anticipated concerts, the iconic pop star could likely provide a record-breaking amount of revenue.

Swift has a track record of selling out nearly every venue where she performs, and it's expected that 80% to 90% of attendees for her shows will be out-of-town visitors, according to the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District.

The stampede of Swifties is welcome news for the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District which imposes a 4% hotel occupancy tax in both Orleans and Jefferson Parishes.

In addition, the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority adds an extra layer of taxation in Orleans Parish — a 3% tax, along with nightly fees based on hotel size.

The potential economic windfall from Swift's concerts goes beyond just hotel stays. The exhibition hall authority also levies a food and beverage tax on establishments with significant sales.

Establishments reporting taxable food and beverage sales of $200,000 or more must collect a 0.5% tax for sales between $200,000 and $499,999, and a 0.75% tax for sales exceeding $500,000.

When Swift went to Philadelphia in May of 2023, the singer brought the strongest hotel revenues since the onset of the COVID pandemic.

"Despite the slowing recovery in tourism in the region overall, one contact highlighted that May was the strongest month for hotel revenue in Philadelphia since the onset of the pandemic, in large part due to an influx of guests for the Taylor Swift concerts in the city," the Federal Reserve reported.

For the 2023 fiscal year, the hotel taxes between the district and exhibition hall authority brought in $96 million in revenue, the most on record. The exhibition hall authority food and beverage tax raked in over $19 million.

The revenues for the current fiscal year will likely break that record. The Essence Festival's three-night show in July, Zach Bryan's July 25 concert both brought hundreds of thousands of people to NOLA. Revenues for Swift's coming concert will likely trounce all records – as she's done in city after city.

According to the LSED, since 2022, average attendance is up 33% and total event income is up 74% from $788 thousand to over $7 million.