NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Tourism in New Orleans is booming, and money collected from the city’s hotel occupancy tax is on pace to reach a five-year high.

The Times-Picayune (http://bit.ly/1MZM3JF ) reports the city could earn more than $43 million this year, with tax revenues predicted to continue to rise next year and beyond.

Jeff Anding, director of external affairs for the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, says the city is benefiting from unprecedented tourism growth, not just from conventions and meetings but also from leisure travelers.

Anding says officials need to make sure money is spent to keep streets safe and maintain the French Quarter so that the city can maintain its tourism momentum.

Visitors to New Orleans climbed to 9.52 million last year, closer to the 10.1 million record reached in 2004.

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Information from: The Times-Picayune, http://www.nola.com