MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It's the home of the blues, the birthplace of rock and roll, and a hotspot for world-famous food.
It's no wonder the Memphis hotel market is booming.
Nicholas Janysek, the director of sales, marketing, and events at the Hyatt Centric on Beale Street, said the comeback is being fueled by tourists and locals alike who have spent the better part of last year dealing with the global pandemic.
"We see it in the occupancy and numbers, obviously pre-Covid," Janysek said. "We took a little bit of a stumble over the past year, but we’re seeing it come back."
In the just Downtown area, more than 400 hotel rooms have been added since January 2020.
Some of Memphis' other new hotels include the Canopy by Hilton across the street from AutoZone Park and the Memphian Hotel in Overton Square. These iconic locations draw in investors who see potential with hotels just steps away.
It's not all leisure travel and activity that's picking up at these hotels. Economist Dr. John Gnuschke said companies are planning trips to different cities again.
"We’re seeing more and more interest in revitalizing the economy," Gnuschke said. "With that is going to come meetings and conferences and celebrations."
Gnuschke said this growth shows the city is anticipating new business making it an even better sign for the people living there.
"That’s a positive thing for Memphians," Gnuschke said. "It’s new jobs, it’s more money that’s going to be spent in the area, and that’s a stimulus to the economy.”