Philadelphia Hotels See a Welcome Uptick in Labor Day Weekend Business
By Paul Kurtz
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Hotels in center city Philadelphia are expected to be sold out for the upcoming end-of-summer weekend.
Two big events are behind the surge, says Ed Grose, executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association:
"The Narcotics Anonymous convention is about 19,000 rooms throughout the convention, and the remaining rooms are being sold by the Budweiser 'Made In America' concert."
It's a pleasant change from what traditionally has been a slow weekend. And, says Grose, a much-needed boost. He says business overall has been slow.
"Philadelphia hotels rely heavily on group business," Grose tells KYW Newsradio. "And the next few years are slow convention years for us. So, because of the slow convention calendar, we need to fill those rooms with leisure (visitors), and events like Made in America help us do that."
The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates the Narcotics Anonymous convention alone will generate about $21 million in revenue.
