ROCK HILL — The sports tourism industry in York County is experiencing steady growth, leading hotels to adjust their strategies and capitalize on the demand. The county currently has 42 hotels with nearly 4,000 beds, and in April and May of this year, occupancy rates reached 68 percent and 69 percent respectively, the highest spring performance in five years. Revenue per available room also grew by 4 percent in 2022.
To meet the needs of sports teams, the Hilton Garden Inn Rock Hill plans to add more double bed rooms during its upcoming renovations. The hotel’s director of sales, Natalie Hoekstra, notes that these rooms are in high demand. Rock Hill has become a popular destination for sports events, with tournaments like the American Cornhole League World Championship and the United States Disc Golf Championship attracting athletes and spectators. The city will also host the USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships and the UCI BMX Racing World Championships in the coming months.
York County’s tourism leaders are optimistic about a strong summer season, as many of these events are recurring and participants often express a desire to return. Andrew Clinton, CEO of Visit York County, praises Rock Hill for its success in sports tourism, noting that it has become a thriving industry for the community. As a result, city leaders are actively seeking opportunities to bring more sports events to the area, which in turn drives hotel occupancy.
While weekends are typically busy with athletic events, hotels face a mid-week imbalance in occupancy. To address this, Rock Hill’s Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department has hired a person dedicated to sales from Monday to Thursday. The department aims to attract more events and meetings during the week to boost hotel bookings. Encouraging businesses to hold conferences in Rock Hill is also seen as a strategy to fill midweek vacancies.
In addition to sports events, hotels in York County benefit from travelers heading to Carowinds amusement park and those passing through via Interstate 77. Given the demand for accommodations, Visit York County suggests that a new hotel should be built in the county each year. While there are plans to recruit new hotels, no confirmation has been made yet regarding the next establishment to open. There are also discussions about the possibility of building a convention center to accommodate large-scale events in the future.
Overall, the sports tourism industry has proven to be a lucrative opportunity for York County, attracting visitors and driving hotel occupancy rates. The region’s focus on sports events has led to consistent growth, and tourism officials are continuously seeking ways to further capitalize on this trend.
Source link