Tiny Branson becoming tourist giant again
The tiny town of Branson, Mo., population 6,500, is becoming a giant in the tourist-entertainment business.
“Not since the boom years of the mid-1990s has this town seen the kind of record-setting new development and expansion of entertainment and vacation amenities that are taking place in 2005,” said the PRNewswire.
The city is looking at $125 million in new hotels, resorts, vacation housing, retail, restaurants and other developments.
The previous record of $119 million was set in 1992.
Brandon now attracts 7.2 million visitors to southwest Missouri each year. It is a top 20 vacation destination.
Said Ross Summer, president of the Branson/Lakes area Chamber of Commerce and the local CVB:
“Our unique combination of world-class entertainment in close proximity to outdoor and lake recreation, along with our famous Ozark Mountain hospitality is what sets Branson apart from other major destinations.”
New theme park rides opening this year include Silver Dollar City’s $10 million roller coaster called Powder Keg, which blasts riders from 0 to 53 miles an hour in just 2.8 seconds.
The $40 million Celebration City is also unveiling new rides.
New hotels underway include a plan to build an 18-story, five-star hotel adjacent to the four-diamond Chateau on the Lake.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025