Fall is here -- a time New Orleans Tourism officials believe will kick start a busy stretch in the city.

In the French Quarter Saturday it seems they're right, as big crowds soaked up the sights and sounds.

But with all eyes on Wall Street and a growing economic crisis, could tourism take a hit down the road?

Even folks who frequent the area, like Jim Goyer from Madison, Wisconsin, say it's a possibility.

"People are starting to stay home more, plain and simple. They don't have the discretionary income," Gover said. "The downturn in the economy could affect that."

And tourism officials say they're bracing for impact.

"We're worried about tourism across the nation. We've been in meetings where the report is not good for tourism,” said Mary Beth Romig , director of Communications and Public Relations for the New Orleans Convention and Visitor Bureau. “Right now people are cutting back, obviously. People are cutting back on leisure travel, and now corporations are looking at the whole idea of cutting back on conventions and meetings."

That could be damaging to a city that thrives on tourism, especially as it recovers from Hurricane Katrina. Romig says the recent storms add another challenge, on top of the economic turmoil.

"Ike and Gustav set us back a little bit. Even though the city fared well, it still gives the perception that this region is not a region you can trust in August and September," Romig said.

But Romig says there is hope for the industry. She says New Orleans has a reputation as an affordable destination. And in the coming months, there are several big events in town like the VooDoo Music Experience, along with some major conventions.

"We're still being right sized. So there's good news for us as opposed to the rest of the nation. When you look at the airline industry for example, they're cutting back in some of the major cities, but we're one of the cities they're still right sizing. So the news is good for New Orleans, albeit in a bad climate," Romig said.

And judging by the bustling French Quarter Saturday, it appears, for now, things are going well. Some tourists say they come back regardless.

"You've got a lot of history here,” Said Don Hill of Denver, Colorado.

“It's beautiful here. I would come back in a heartbeat. Regardless of the climate of the economy."