Columbus’ stature as an event destination has grown, and the numbers tell the tale.
Hotel occupancy was up to 67.6 percent in the first nine months of the year, members of Experience Columbus’ board were told Wednesday. That’s higher than the occupancy rates in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. The increase came despite construction at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
The statistics, from a Smith Travel Accommodations Report report, show that Columbus ranked 5th among 11 competitive cities, up from 7th in the year-earlier period.
Nashville and Charlotte were by far the leaders in occupancy rate, at more than 73 percent, followed by St. Louis.
Meanwhile, Columbus’ average room rate remained relatively low. The city ranked ninth in both average daily rate and revenue per available room — key statistics for hotels. Columbus’ rate was just shy of $102. Cleveland and Pittsburgh rooms averaged between $110 and $120.
For meeting planners, lower room rates mean that Columbus is seen as a “value” destination — a cost-effective city in which to hold a convention or conference. That, along with high rankings on national tourism lists, has boosted Columbus’ reputation, according to tourism officials.
Brian Ross, CEO of Experience Columbus, said the effect has been that large groups are booking events up to eight years in advance. “Our competitors have been getting those kinds of bookings. It’s good to see us being considered in the same set,” Ross told the board.
Experience Columbus spokeswoman Megumi Robinson said the group’s election-season “mobile media lounge,” a custom Airstream trailer on loan from the Columbus College of Art & Design, was well-received but not used as much as expected. She said that although national candidates came frequently to Ohio, most of their campaign visits seemed to be outside central Ohio.
In all, the trailer made eight appearances at presidential campaign events around central Ohio, offering information about the region to members of the news media covering the events.
Columbus will be getting a luxurious addition to the hotel scene with a Canopy by Hilton planned for 77 E. Nationwide Blvd.