“Many hotels will need to pivot on who their target clientele will be,” said Patel, noting a property previously banking on large conventions downtown may resort to searching for business, and guests, from other sources.
Pendergraft said Waco hotels were pegging 76% occupancy in the weeks leading up to July 10, while the statewide norm was 65.2%.
The occupancy rate Saturday, July 10, was 82%, Pendergraft said.
Average occupancy typically falls to 50% on Sundays and Mondays, then rises toward 70% later in the week before peaking on Saturdays.
“That’s the typical pattern for Waco. We have become a heavily tourist destination. Leisure travel is dominant,” said Pendergraft. “We do have corporate business, but we’re not a corporate headquarters for many companies. More of our convention business is consumer and trade shows.”
Baumann opined that the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce needs “to continue to bring in corporate business to help fill those hotels.”
The lodging industry, like other sectors, faces challenges finding employees as business surges but generous unemployment benefits linger.
“Our three hotels are picking up nicely, but we continue to struggle with staffing issues. This is not just our industry but most of the service industries,” said Donna Holdbrook, general manager at Holiday Inn Express, 5701 Legend Lake Parkway in the Legends Crossing development.
Read More: Lodging industry making a comeback locally | Local News