No Shortage of Hotel Rooms in NW Arkansas

Have you ever given much thought to whether there are enough hotel/motel rooms in a given area? If you’re like me the answer is probably “No.”

We’re all used to seeing these establishments but I was surprised to learn recently just how many rooms are available in our area and how many more are under construction.

Currently there are some 7,000 rooms in the four cities of Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale and Fayetteville. In the next six months, as many as 1,000 more will be ready to serve travelers.

Bentonville has the highest occupancy rate of all – 95% on Monday through Thursday nights. That’s understandable when you consider all the business people who come to town to do business at Wal-Mart’s home office. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights the occupancy drops off appreciably.

Fayetteville normally has a higher occupancy rate on weekends than weekdays but except for University of Arkansas sporting events and Bikes, Blues, and Barbecue it’s probably fair to say that city does not enjoy occupancy rates approaching 95%. But that doesn’t seem to slow construction of still more hotels.

Rogers expects to add at least 300 more rooms when several establishments are completed in 2008. That will bring their count to some 2,500 rooms.

Springdale has approximately 1,500 rooms and will no doubt need more when the new baseball stadium opens next spring.

I am just amazed at these numbers and what it all means to the overall economy of NW Arkansas!

For more information:

http://www.nwarktimes.com/adg/Business_Matters/205961/