NEW ORLEANS Nearly 350 volunteers from the tourism and travel industry helped restore Louis Armstrong Park as part of a cleanup event coordinated by Tourism Cares, the volunteer organization that brings the travel and tourism industry together to give back to its communities.

The cleanup was the latest example of Tourism Cares commitment to helping restore New Orleans cultural fabric since Hurricane Katrina damaged the city nearly three years ago.

Volunteers from the United Motorcoach Association, other organizations and scores of private companies were involved in painting, pressure washing and general cleanup of the 33-acre site, and officially unveiled the restored statue of New Orleans jazz legend Louis Armstrong.

"Louis Armstrong Park and specifically Congo Square within, represents what some say is the single-most-important location of African-American heritage in our country truly hallowed ground the legacy of which must be preserved for generations to come," said Bruce Beckham, executive director of Tourism Cares. "Rejuvenating this essential tourist and community landmark will help the citys ongoing outreach efforts to bring visitors back to New Orleans."

The historic park had been left largely untouched since the hurricane. The effort to restore the site not only upgrades its physical appearance but it also helps the local community reconnect with one of its most important cultural touchstones, Beckham added.

"UMA was pleased to be involved in the Tourism Cares cleanup of Louis Armstrong Park," said UMA President and CEO Victor Parra. "These annual clean-up events, and this one specifically, help us give back to the industry that has provided for so many of us over the years."

Tourism Cares, with the support of its participants from organizations including UMA, not only helps restore important tourism sites, but also promotes responsible, sustainable tourism and "voluntourism" travel focused on doing good.

Next year, Tourism Cares For America will host its annual cleanup event in Gettysburg, Pa.