Concerns about high water have not had a measurable impact on travel to Missouri destinations and attractions, according to reports from industry representatives across the state.
Although flooding has affected towns along the Mississippi River such as LaGrange, Louisiana and Clarksville that are not protected by levees, destinations such as Hannibal, St. Louis, St. Charles and Ste. Genevieve report business as usual.
PHOTO GALLERIES:
Flooding in LaGrange, Missouri
Flooding in Louisiana, Missouri
Hannibal’s ¾-mile-long levee, which held during the flood of 1993, is expected to hold again this year when the Mississippi River crests early Friday morning at 15 feet, six inches above flood stage. Tourism activity in Hannibal appears to be unaffected by concerns of rising waters.
In St. Louis, the President Casino is closed but the Gateway Arch and other downtown attractions are open.
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt has activated the Missouri National Guard to work with local communities to assist with sandbagging and other precautionary measures.
“Our thoughts are prayers are with those people not only in our own communities but also in the surrounding states who have been affected,” said R. B. “Bob” Smith, III, interim director, Missouri Division of Tourism. “We anticipate that this threat will pass without any additional damage to towns along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.”
Recent research studies indicate that Missouri’s $13.1 billion tourism industry is fairing well in the face of higher gasoline prices and challenging economic and weather conditions.
While the latest report from Smith Travel Research indicates that hotel occupancies are down roughly three percent statewide, Missouri is outperforming competing states, and her largest, most-populous city, Kansas City, has posted a 3.3 percent increase in hotel occupancy compared to 2007, with hotel revenues up 12.7 percent.
Concerns about high water have not had a measurable impact on travel to Missouri destinations and attractions, according to reports from industry representatives across the state. A TNS Omnibus study of 1,600 adults nationwide conducted June 20-22 reports that only four percent of those surveyed stated that concerns about floods had discouraged them from traveling to Missouri.
Additionally, a tracking report from Carmel, Ind.-based Strategic Marketing and Research, Inc., indicates that Missouri’s “Close to Home. Far From Ordinary.” advertising campaign is resonating with consumers. More than 27 percent of those surveyed describe themselves as being “very likely” to travel to Missouri, up from 20.5 percent for the same time period last year.
“Travel trends indicate the people are taking a greater number of shorter-duration vacations and spending less time planning in advance,” said R.B. “Bob” Smith, III, interim director, Missouri Division of Tourism. Traditionally, Missouri has held its own during tough times due to our central location and diverse attractions.”
For more information on Missouri, go to www.VisitMO.com or call 800-519-4800 to order a free 2008 Official Missouri Vacation Planner.
