With Garth Brooks in town for five shows, ABC Pro Rodeo, and sporting events at Texas Tech, hotels in Lubbock are just about booked solid.
“If you’re getting a room right now, or if you were to call Sally at the front desk, if she had a room it’s because someone canceled it,” Lubbock Hotel Motel Association President Rob Meyer said.
Meyer said they’re gearing up for max occupancy.
“When rooms start to go away in the marketplace the rate goes up, so what Garth did is he got that little bit of panic, like ‘Oh my gosh I’m not gonna get a room in Lubbock, Texas’ and so you’ve got a lot of people calling and taking up that space…which allowed us to get the rate up a little bit more.”
All of the weekend happenings are drawing in lots of people from all over, which Chamber of Commerce Chair Diannah Tatum said is great for Lubbock, because visitors help out local businesses.
“People are coming not only from Lubbock to go see them, but they’re coming from New Mexico and also outside of Lubbock too,” Tatum said, “So lots of people coming and shopping, eating, spending their money…enjoying a great time in Lubbock.”
Tatum said the effects of weekends like this can be long-lasting.
“From a long-term standpoint, it’s people coming in and seeing the city, enjoying what we have to offer, and hopefully making a return visit. We want them to come back.”
