Deals at Ariz. hotels, resorts drawing visitors, even in sluggish economy

Deals at Ariz. hotels, resorts drawing visitors

PHOENIX — After nearly a year and half of double-digit declines in occupancy rates at Phoenix-area hotels and resorts, freebies and good deals appear to be drawing more visitors, according to The Arizona Republic.

Rates have been on the rise in metro Phoenix so far this year, according to Smith Travel Research, an independent lodging industry research company.

Hoteliers are competing to lure spring training fans, sunbathers and golfers in a still-sluggish economy, and value is key.

“With the economy the last 18 months, the traveler is smarter. They’re looking for the bigger bang for their buck,” Kristen Freeman, general manager of north Scottsdale’s Homewood Suites, told the paper. Her hotel created a new spring-training package that includes sports souvenirs and free shuttle service to the spring-training home of the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale.

She said the special has boosted occupancy by 20 to 25 percent over last year. Some March dates are sold out, and guests are staying longer.

Valeriano Antonioli, managing director of the InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley, was quoted as saying that 40 percent of the vacation business on its books for March is from the resort’s spring-training offer launched in January.

Their deal includes a nightly $100 credit to spend at the resort and a room upgrade for stays of three or more nights. The room rate in the package starts at $329.