Hotel Archives - Event Decor Supply

Posted on 2 September 2022 by admin

Kamloops sporting events sees a boost in hotel occupancy and tourism

Tourism Kamloops judges the number of visits the city receives by “occupancy rates.” The occupancy rate is the percentage of rooms in hotels that are booked.

In 2019, it was a record-breaking year for occupancy rates as it was near 80 per cent.

“Coming out of the Kamloops 55+ games just last week which was a great for the city we are estimating over $3.5 million in economic impact and with that we see occupancy rates in our hotels in the high 90’s so it’s great to see those increases over that time,” says Monica Dickinson with Tourism Kamloops.

During the pandemic summers in 2020 and 2021, Kamloops’ occupancy rate in hotels was cut by half.

Now in 2022, that percentage is exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

“Typically in the summers – we’re about the high 80’s but this year we’re seeing more 92, 93, 94, 95 per cent so that’s a significant increase in rooms to really bring that up in terms of occupancy,” says Bryan Pilbeam with the BC Hotels Association.

The Downtown Business Improvement Association (BIA) says having sporting events like the NSA World Series in the city sees a boost for businesses.

“The consensus is from most business owners is that [business] has been very positive in regards to increased traffic – it really has been a great summer,” says Howie Reimer, Downtown Business Improvement Association.

Having the NSA World Series in town is set to bring millions of dollars into the city through tourism.

“The economic impact on Kamloops ranges from $2-4 million annually. We’ll be coming here as long as they want us and we’re grateful for that,” Rose says.

“Those are non-resident dollars that are being injected into our businesses and our hotels and restaurants and it’s great when we can bring new money into the city,” adds Dickinson.

Businesses will continue to reap the benefits from the tournament which wraps up on Monday (September 5).

Posted on 24 June 2022 by admin

Big events and staff shortages put strain on Edmonton hotel industry | CBC News

A confluence of large events like concerts returning to the city and staffing shortages is putting pressure on the Edmonton hotel industry.

Country singer Garth Brooks brings his latest tour to the city with shows tonight and Saturday. The Edmonton Pride Festival is also hosting a range of events in the city this weekend.

That is presenting staffing challenges for hotels that see low booking numbers during the week, but experience a surge on the weekends.

“We have to be creative,” Manendra Sharma, general manager of Sandman Signature Edmonton Downtown, said Friday.

“The consistency of business isn’t there and there is a shortage in the workforce, especially in an industry like [hospitality].”

Staff are being trained in multiple roles which allows for them to maintain steady hours, Sharma said, adding that it helps fill different positions during events when occupancy soars.

Dave Kaiser, president of the Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association, said the industry lost staff due to layoffs in the COVID-19 pandemic and many are not returning.

“We scramble to find people to manage it,” Kaiser said.

“We’re still in a place where occupancy and rates together aren’t strong enough.”

People with luggage stand near the front of a hotel. — Hotels like the Sandman Signature in downtown need creativity to cope with bookings that ebb and flow, general manager Manendra Sharma says. (Trevor Wilson/CBC)

Travel Alberta data shows that April was the first time hotel occupancy hit 53 per cent since 2019.

The national average is 63 per cent, about seven per cent below 2019 levels, according to a recent Smith Travel Research report. That report showed the lowest occupancy was reported in Edmonton.

A Google search shows that Edmonton hotel rates in most categories are higher than is typical. (Google)

Traci Bednard, chief executive officer of Explore Edmonton, said a lack of international travellers is slowing the recovery.

“They’re the folks that stay the longest and also spend the most most money,” she said.

Explore Edmonton data shows that internet searches for Alberta and specifically Edmonton are up compared to this time last year.

Bednard believes that is a positive sign that visitors are looking to return.

“In some ways this is our chance to really get out and experience and enjoy Edmonton … we have more festivals than we do weekends.”

Posted on 8 April 2022 by admin

At Least 200 People Sickened After Events At Coraopolis Marriott Hotel

By: Erika Stanish/KDKA-TV News

CORAOPOLIS, Pa. (KDKA) – At least 200 people have reported they’ve become ill after several events at the Marriott Hotel in Coraopolis.

The Allegheny County Health Department confirmed to KDKA Friday it is investigating reports of gastrointestinal illnesses after three large events held at the facility on April 2 and April 3.

The Marriott told KDKA it did a deep cleaning at the hotel to cover both the norovirus and coronavirus, in addition to notifying the health department. A spokesperson said it will “continue with regular disinfection protocols given that norovirus is apparently prevalent in the county.”

The first event affected was a bridal shower that was held at the hotel Saturday afternoon. The family told KDKA 70 people were sickened about 36 hours after being at the hotel.

Later Saturday night, a wedding was held there. Natalie and Armando McNary said of the 155 people in attendance, 80 have reported an illness so far.

“Everybody’s just going to remember our wedding as the wedding that everybody got sick at,” Natalie McNary said. “I mean, people were thinking they were on their deathbed. Like, that’s how bad it got.”

She said it didn’t take long for family and friends to begin reporting an illness.

“Everyone was texting us saying they were throwing up constantly, using the bathroom all for 12 hours straight,” McNary said.

People who attended a football banquet the next day had the same experience.

“People didn’t go to work for days. People lost a lot and we lost a lot too,” McNary said.

UPMC’s medical director of infection prevention and hospital epidemiology said norovirus is very contagious and causes illness in your gastrointestinal tract.

“Vomiting is incredibly common. You can also have lower gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly diarrhea,” Dr. Graham Snyder said.

He said after a person is exposed, it only takes a day or two before you’ll start showing symptoms.

“It can contaminate food that they prepare, so that’s typically how you acquire norovirus, either eating food that may be prepared by somebody who’s contagious with it or having contact with the environment that is contaminated with norovirus,” Snyder said.

He said the best thing a person can do if they have it is to stay home.

“In complement to that, appropriate hygiene in particular when using the bathroom. Wash hands, wash hands, wash hands,” Snyder said.

He said it’s also important to clean surfaces, particularly in the bathroom or other shared surfaces. He said the best cleaners to use are bleach and hydrogen peroxide wipes.

“Fortunately, it rarely requires people to be hospitalized and very rarely ends up in death,” Snyder said.

“I just hope that the Marriott will make this right for us,” Armando McNary said.

The health department’s food safety program completed an investigation at the facility and continues to work with the epidemiology program as part of an ongoing investigation into the illnesses.

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“If you believe you attended an event that may have been affected, please contact the Health Department at 412-687-2243. Health Department staff may attempt to contact attendees and facility staff associated with the events. Anyone suffering from any severe illness should contact their healthcare provider,” the health department said.