JOPLIN, MO – School is over, temperatures are rising and more and more families are going on vacation … Breathe new life into the hotel industry.
Joplin is seeing more and more visitors walking past pandemic logs.
“There were visitors from 24 countries down in the CVB. And visitors logged in like this, we don’t know how many states they still come from, so people are on the move. ”Says Kevin Greim, Joplin CVB board member.
There are more foreigners in the city center … And more room bookings in hotels in Joplin. The occupancy in April exceeds that of 2020 … And the more normal rates in 2019.
“They know hotels were often sold out on weekends,” says Mike Greninger, La Quinta.
Greninger says that focuses more on short-term appointments and less on traveling far away.
“It’s been good here lately and we hope it will be the same in July.” Says Greninger.
He added that there were still challenges. Business travel is still restricted in some cases, along with the delay in some events that usually take place every summer.
“They know there are some hits in August, Marian Days is not returning to the area so that was a big hit.” Says Greninger.
But there is optimism for the future.
“There are still things to look out for, but um, I think all the signs are that we are now leaving this behind and getting life back to normal.” Says Greim.
