President Bush salutes New Orleans rebuild

President George W Bush has been visiting areas in New Orleans one year on from when Hurricane Katrina hit and caused immense damage to the region.

The gulf coast suffered one of the worst hurricanes to ever hit the US and the region's tourism industry collapsed as the local people attempted to repair their homes.

However, areas that President Bush visited showed real improvement and New Orleans is looking forward, with new projects targeted at bringing visitors and communities back to the area.

The White House released a fact sheet which stated: "The Administration worked with Congress to pass more than $110 billion (£58.2 billion) in funding for the gulf coast.

"Six months after Hurricane Katrina, 91 per cent of Mississippi's damaged highways had already been repaired. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) is spending $2 billion (£1.05 billion) to repair and rebuild highways and bridges in Louisiana and Mississippi."

The President met locals and business owners to hear their concerns and discuss options for the future.

New Orleans tourism authorities have already implemented a range of measures, such as travel journalist workshops, to attract visitors back to the area.

President Bush stated: "It's a sense of renewal here. It may be hard for those of you who have endured the last year to really have that sense of change, but for a fellow who was here and now a year later comes back, things are changing."

New Orleans is preparing to host a full Mardi Gras next spring and is looking to bring tourism revenue back to the area as soon as possible as it focuses on rebuilding its famous districts.