Dramatic Decline in Bookings - Western NC

[Mike Lattier]

Is anyone else seeing a big dropoff in bookings for Western NC - specifically Bryson City area.  I get that hurricane areas are likely affected but Bryson City did not have any damage.  Our summer bookings are almost non-existent.  Last year was very strong.  It's a very weird situation.

[Collin Hays]

Quote from @Mike Lattier:

Quote from @Collin Hays:

Quote from @Mike Lattier:

Is anyone else seeing a big dropoff in bookings for Western NC - specifically Bryson City area.  I get that hurricane areas are likely affected but Bryson City did not have any damage.  Our summer bookings are almost non-existent.  Last year was very strong.  It's a very weird situation.

Yes, bookings in the Smokies are down significantly. The exceptions will chime in on here, but this summer looks to be -15 percent over last summer. That is an average. Some properties are even, some are down 30-40 percent.  

 Thanks for the info.  Any idea on what that is being attributed to?

Macroeconomics are suppressing spending, combined with a massive overbuilt supply of properties. If you aren’t playing “race to the bottom” with rates, you aren’t getting bookings.  

This will take a few years to sort out.