Sold out hotels & people in the streets

Although it was not a good day for Marshall fans, it was a winning effort for West Virginia tourism. Hotels in Huntington and Barboursville were sold out for Friday and Saturday nights and a few phones that I made indicated that some of the football crowd overflowed in Ohio and Kentucky hotels.

In addition to the revenues generated by in the lodging industry I'm sure local restaurants and bar did brisk business. Retail shops should have benefited too as last minute fans picked up the appropriate green & white or blue & gold item.

Another great example of how inbound tourism can benefit our region.

Over on the banks of the Ohio at Ironton's riverfront there's a "Rock on The River" tonight that is drawing a crowd. According to the staff at the Fuzzy Duck restaurant they've received a far amount of tickets requests from out of town visitors. One of the most asked questions by these visitors had been "where can we stay!"

Now imagine what happens when the casino is Cross Lanes takes off.