Many places were quieter in 2020, including hotels.
“It was definitely a challenging time, especially looking at March and April. The occupancy on the books all canceled, and we didn’t know what was going to happen,” said Lee Arthur, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Utica general manager.
Growing up about 20 minutes away in Remsen, Arthur has a special appreciation for the hotel and its history. After seeing the hotel so quiet during the pandemic, he says it’s refreshing to have a busy 2021. He says occupancy increased after vaccines came out and really went up in June and July.
What You Need To Know
- Oneida County Tourism staff say it’s been a busy summer in the area
- They say Oneida County hotels were more than 60% filled in June, and 70% in July
- Some are already booked for the time of the Boilermaker Road Race
“It really seems to have just exploded, and we’re having people coming for weddings and groups, sports teams,” said Arthur. “It’s really been quite a nice surprise, and we’re trying to get used to being busy again.”
It’s not just the Doubletree Hotel Utica getting visitors this summer.
Oneida County Tourism President Kelly Blazosky says leisure travel is up, and is translating to lots of hotel reservations.
“We’ve seen a very healthy rebound, and of course that’s due to our proximity in the state and that we’re a drive destination. That’s always been an advantage for us,” said Blazosky.
Blazosky says overall Oneida County hotels were more than 60% filled in June and 70% in July.
Arthur says his hotel is continuing to adapt to the pandemic, trying to ensure guests have a safe stay.
“We do want our guests to know that we take cleanliness and safety seriously,” he said.
The Doubletree Hotel Utica should have a busy next several weeks as they host wedding guests and prepare rooms for a sold-out Boilermaker weekend.
Oneida County Tourism staff say the pandemic has led them to rely more on social media and offering virtual experiences.
For more information about what’s going on in the area, visit https://www.oneidacountytourism.com.
