subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Thu, Nov 26 2009 

Published August 17, 2008 11:35 pm - wkennedy@joplinglobe.com
The Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau is betting on the probability that visitors to Downstream Casino Resort will want to do more than just gamble.
Bureau representatives will meet with dozens of bus-tour promoters to see whether sites in Joplin can be packaged for bus tours.


Bureau hopes to deal Joplin in on casino business



By Wally Kennedy

wkennedy@joplinglobe.com

The Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau is betting on the probability that visitors to Downstream Casino Resort will want to do more than just gamble.

Bureau representatives will meet with dozens of bus-tour promoters to see whether sites in Joplin can be packaged for bus tours.

“Before, the bus tours for people going to Branson would stop for lunch in Joplin,” said Vince Lindstrom, head of the tourism bureau. “They would not stay overnight. The Downstream Casino is the attraction that has changed that.

“People are staying overnight now, and we think we have a lot in Joplin to offer when they are not gaming at the casino.”

Local attractions that might be packaged into a tour for the 50-to-70 age group are Sandstone Gardens, the Chocolate Factory, the Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center, the Joplin Museum Complex, and the historic Murphysburg District.

Lindstrom said getting bus tours into the Joplin market could have a profound effect on the city’s hospitality industry.

Cameo Gerdes, sales director for the bureau, will be meeting with the bus-tour operators. Lindstrom said at least 40 appointments have been made.

“This is what you call a ‘fam’ tour or familiarity tour,” Lindstrom said. “You help tour leaders understand what’s available in an area.”

Next week, Lindstrom will travel to Kansas City for the 2008 Missouri Showcase Marketplace for a regional meeting of tour leaders. The bureau also is working to promote Joplin with the American Bus Association and the National Tour Association.

Before the opening of the casino, which is 10 minutes west of Joplin off Interstate 44, the bureau had been receiving inquiries from tour leaders.

“There’s considerable interest out there, and we want to capitalize on it,” Lindstrom said.

Joplin’s hotel district, he said, has benefited from the opening of the casino. That’s because the casino’s hotel is still under construction. But even after the hotel opens, Lindstrom believes Joplin’s hotels will continue to benefit.

“I think we will see a real impact from the Tony Bennett show (Sept. 6) at the casino,” he said. “People will be staying in our hotels for that because the casino’s hotel hasn’t opened. Once they stay here, they’re likely to come back because of all of the other things they can do here.”



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story







autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Announcements


Click here to VOTE!!

Click here!!

: Special Offer For New Subscribers : 32 buy 1 get 1 free offers

Click Here!


Featured Transportation

2002 FORD TAURUS SE
nice car, 3.0 liter V6, $2900. 417-850-0731....>MORE

2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE
Sport, loaded, all options, great looking van, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

1993 CHEVROLET LONG BED
runs good, 4.3 V6, new transmission, needs body parts, $400. (417)438-2508...>MORE

1998 CHEVROLET TRACKER
removable hard tops, automatic, air, CD, sharp, $2500. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

2002 KIA OPTIMA EX
4 door, sharp, loaded, leather, CD, sunroof, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
4 door, luxury leather trim, loaded, CD, sunroof, beautiful rig, extra nice, $4500. 1317 Schifferdecker...>MORE

JEEP 2000 CHEROKEE SPORT
JEEP, 2000 Cherokee Sport, 6 1/2” lift, 35” foggers, locked front end, welded rear end, off road use, winch not included...>MORE

HONDA, 2007 FIT SPORT,
customized interior package, automatic, air, AM/FM/CD, cruise, great mpg, low miles, excellent condition, $11,800. (417)...>MORE

TOYOTA 2004 TACOMA PRERUNNER
Toyota, 2004 Tacoma Prerunner, TRD off road, double cab, V6, new tires, CD, bed liner, lid cover, 100,000 miles, excelle...>MORE

1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
2 door, spoiler, sharp, loaded, automatic, air, CD, extra nice, $2600. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE

NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

DIAMOND SOLITAIRE
Pear-shaped, one carat, diamond solitaire in gold setting. $2,000. Please call 417-825-3238...>MORE

INDIAN HEAD PENNIES
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, 35% Civil War II nickels, V nickels, Buffalo nickels, lots of other coins. Garage full of antiques ...>MORE

NEW IN BOX
New in box, Lucchese cowboy boots, black, size 9D, $200. (620)231-9256...>MORE

(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE

5TH WHEEL
5TH WHEEL, 2004 Prowler Regal, 26’, 2 slides, loaded, nice. (620)674-2127....>MORE

MALTESE PUPPIES ADORABLE!!

6 weeks old Thanksgiving. 2 boys and 2 girls. Shots, wormed, and vet checked. Healthy, active, and loved! Great Ch
...>MORE

ENGLISH BULLDOG PUPPY
male, AKC, fawn/white, champion bloodlines, $900 or best offer. (417)396-3340...>MORE

POODLES
POODLES, standard pups, born 10/10, registered, shots, wormed, family raised. Adorable personalities! 417-673-3892....>MORE

YORKIES
12 weeks old, 2 males, AKC, 1st shots, $175. 417-291-6590, Webb City...>MORE

REWARD $50,000 REWARD

Offered for any information leading to conviction of any person or persons known to have been involved in alleged
...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

The Joplin Globe Electronic Edition