Page 31 - BusinessWest January 10, 2022

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OUTLOOK 2022/TOURISM >>
After skipping 2020 altogether, the Big E came roaring back in 2021, even posting its best-ever attendance day in fair history.
Sector Is on the Rebound, but Hospitality Still Faces Staffing Issues
John Doleva said 2020 was supposed to be the “year of all years” at the Basketball Hall of Fame, when it would unveil a $25 million renovation of the museum and welcome record crowds to a series of events and new attractions.
It was the year of all years, all right. Just for ... another reason, namely a pandemic that shuttered most tourist attractions for months.
But the Hall did get to that ribbon cutting this past May, said Doleva, the institution’s president and CEO. And that wasn’t all.
“We had a terrific summer,” he told BusinessWest. “We were up 36% over 2019 — and that’s comparing it to a quote-unquote ‘nor- mal’ year; we were up 300% over 2020.”
MARY KAY WYDRA
“When the restrictions were lifted in late spring, we saw a boost in the attractions, and hotel occupancy grew. Looking ahead, I do feel like we’re positioned to continue building on
this momentum.”
The Hall was very aggressive in promotion and advertising across a variety of platforms in 2021, he added, highlighting addi- tions like a 14-by-40-foot LED screen on center court that could host remote visits with Hall of Famers, and recently wrapping up a series of eight college basketball tournaments in major cities across the country.
“I’d say we came out of 2021 as positive as we possibly could,” Doleva said, adding that the plan is to continue to aggressively mar- ket and elevate the brand in 2022, as well as looking to open new
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ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 2022
JANUARY 10, 2022 31
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