subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Tue, Nov 10 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
Click here!!

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

Click Here!



Featured Jobs

ORTHOPAEDIC
Specialist of the Four States is currently accepting applications for the following postiions: Physical Therapist, Occcu...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

VOLKSWAGEN, 1998 BEETLE,
black, 5 speed, looks, runs and drives great, only 84,000 miles, $3400. 417-621-0850....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

NO CREDIT
needed qualify for 0 down Own completely remodeled 3/2 16x80 single section manufacturered home, 2 acres, new front deck...>MORE

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

1995 16x72 2 BR, 2 BA,
fully furnished, all appliances, 1 owner, beautiful, smoke free, must move. $17,500. (417)423-2385....>MORE

NO CREDIT NEEDED QUALIFY
for 0 down Own completely remodeled 2/2 16x80 single section manufacturered home, 2 acres, trees, corner lot, large deck...>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

BASS BOAT, 2005
Lowe aluminum, 17’, 2005 90 hp Mercury, 2006 trailer, excellent shape, low hours. $7,500. (417)776-8846 evenings or 417-...>MORE

CRAFTSMAN
radial 10” arm saw; skil saw 7 1/4”; Singer Featherweight machine; clocks/pocket watches; 7.62-54 rifle, accessories; Ca...>MORE

1993 KUBOTA 1560
lawn tractor, 42” cut with bagger, $800. (417)364-8231....>MORE

TEA CUP
Chihuahua pup, female, shots, wormed. Information (417)843-2735...>MORE

10 YEAR OLD BUCKSKIN
mare, 14-hands, broke for anyone, $750; miniature Jack and bred Jenny, $400 pair. (417)434-3700....>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