Hotels in”Dying City” Have Record Year in 2010

Dying City.  Excuse me, Newsweek Magazine.  Before you slander the Furniture City, consider this.  Hotels in Kent County had a record year in 2010,  shattering the old mark by nearly three  million dollars

According to the Nashville-based Smith Travel Research, county-wide, hotels eared more than 103.2 million in 2010, surpassing 2007's record 100.7 million.

Overall, Kent County hotel revenue per available room increased by 11 percent, outpacing the national average of 7.6 percent, the tourism group Experience Grand Rapids announced today.

Ed Wilson, Experience Grand Rapids Board chairman said events like Art Prize help bring more people to town.

“We are extremely encouraged by such good news, especially since 2010 was said to be year of caution for the tourism industry,” Experience Grand Rapids President Douglas Small said. “The fact that we so predominately outpaced the national growth averages in all areas proves our marketing and brand qualities are being recognized on a regional and national level."

Source:  Grand Rapids Press