KRTV

Posted: Mar 15, 2010 5:55 PM
Updated: Mar 15, 2010 6:56 PM

As Western Art Week kicks off, many businesses in Great Falls are getting ready for a boost in tourists to help their bottom line.

Hotels are at the top of the food chain when it comes to tourism, and as The News Station's Alex Grubb found out, they're eager to make sure visitors keep coming back.

As the preparations continue for Western Art Week, hotel managers are looking at their bottom line.

Bryce Baker, general manager of the Best Western Heritage Inn, noted, "We have more people staying in the hotel but they're spending less to stay here."

Even so, the last two months have been busy at the Heritage Inn, and Baker said, "This is definitely our convention season, but the art auction is definitely the pinnacle of all of that."

The managers I spoke with say rates are down across the board - which is good for consumers, but it's tough for hotels.

Laurie Price-Manning, general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn and the Hampton Inn, said, "It's challenging when you have to drop room rates, of course, because it costs quite a bit to operate a property. However, you know we have to stay competitive."

Bringing visitors to Great Falls helps other businesses as well, like nearby restaurants and shops.

Price-Manning observed, "It's a trickle-down effect. If the hotels are full, the restaurants are full, the gas stations are full and everyone wins."

And they all hope that the art auction will convince some visitors to come back soon.

"We're extremely excited to have it here every year and it definitely means a lot to our business, but also to the community of Great Falls, which is very important to all of us," said Baker.