New Orleans restaurateur Ralph Brennan was a guest on CBS’ The Early Show Wednesday morning to discuss the one year anniversary of the devastating BP Oil Spill in the Gulf. Brennan, who has recently been appointed to the board of the U.S. Travel Association, spoke about the spill’s impact on tourism one year later.

Tourism is vital to the local economy in The Crescent City and local restaurants and businesses have shown remarkable resiliency throughout this past year, but there’s still a ways to go.

Brennan’s mission on Wednesday morning was to let America know that New Orleans is indeed open for business. He has been among the most outspoken voices for Gulf seafood since the oil spill rocked the region last spring and summer. He’s letting people know that Gulf seafood is safe and delicious, and he backs it up by serving it in his restaurants.

The Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group includes Red Fish Grill in the New Orleans French Quarter, Ralph’s on the Park in Mid-City New Orleans, café NOMA within the New Orleans Museum of Art, Heritage Grill with its catering facilities in the Heritage Plaza complex in Metairie, café b in Metairie (April 2011,) Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen® located in the Downtown Disney® District at the DISNEYLAND® Resort, and Ralph Brennan Catering & Events. Ralph Brennan is a co-owner of Mr. B’s Bistro and Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, and Brennan’s of Houston.