Louisiana Woman Blocks 191 Hotel Rooms for Taylor Swift Concert in New Orleans
In anticipation of Taylor Swift's highly-anticipated concert weekend at Caesars Superdome, one New Orleans woman is making headlines for her efforts to protect concert-goers from soaring hotel prices. Rebecca Fox, a Metairie native, booked 191 rooms at the Holiday Inn Superdome to shield Swifties from price gouging.
According to a report from Chris Welty at FOX 8, Fox initially reserved just 20 rooms, but after witnessing the massive demand and a potential spike in hotel rates, she decided to block off nearly 200 rooms at a set price. Her proactive move was not for profit but to ensure that Swift fans could secure accommodations at a fair rate.
“I saw what was happening in other cities during the Eras Tour and knew I had to do something,” Fox explained. After attending a concert in Arizona and seeing prices jump dramatically, she wanted to prevent similar situations in New Orleans. Fox paid around $500 per room, well in advance, to lock in rates for fans.
Contrary to some assumptions, Fox isn't making money off this endeavor. The fans pay the hotel directly, only contributing a small $25 deposit to Fox, which goes toward decorating the doors of their rooms to add some themed fun to their stay.
A Lafayette woman who secured one of Fox’s rooms shared her experience. “I got one of the rooms from the girl in NOLA! She didn’t even take the money. We got on a block list, then paid Holiday Inn directly and received our confirmation. The only money we gave her was a $25 deposit to cover door decorations that we picked ourselves,” she explained. “I’m not a Swiftie, but glad I was on my game that day and locked in. And you KNOW we do things different south of I-10. No one was going to get me! I made sure Holiday Inn had my money and info!”
Swift’s "Eras Tour" is expected to bring significant economic boosts to the city and surrounding areas, with hotels at full occupancy and businesses preparing for a surge in visitors. The weekend’s economic impact is predicted to ripple across Louisiana. Local tourism experts are excited about the exposure, emphasizing that visitors will spend money across New Orleans and nearby regions.
Attorney General Liz Murrill has warned businesses not to engage in unfair practices, including price hikes, during the weekend. Swift’s fans, affectionately known as Swifties, can rest assured that efforts like Fox's are in place to provide a safe and affordable experience.
Fox’s efforts have gotten praise online, with many thanking her for prioritizing the fans' experience. One fan commented, “She’s doing this out of love for the community and the fans. We couldn’t have asked for a better ambassador to make our stay in New Orleans unforgettable.”