Our Owensboro hotels took in a record $32.6 million last year despite the dip in occupancy. Owensboro occupancy went from 59.2% in 2023 to 58.2%. Rising room rates made all of the difference in these numbers.
Mark Calitri, president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said Tuesday that this year is starting off even better. January is typically the slowest month of the year for all local hotels. With much excitement, last month’s occupancy rate was 50.8%, which is 13% higher than a year earlier at 43.5%.
The average room rate has climbed from $98.98 in January 2024 to $114.06 last month!
Calitri said a lot was going on last month.
The month began with 600 competitors arriving for the second annual Owensboro Super Major & Pro Series event, a tournament of the American Cornhole Association. The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association returned to Owensboro for the first time in four years, bringing hundreds of cattle producers to the city for workshops and to share ideas. Owensboro also had nearly 500 archers that competed in the 56th USA Archery Indoor Nationals.
Both the 2025 All “A” Classic state basketball championships for both boys and girls and the Kentucky 2A Championships for boys and girls brought hundreds of people to town from all over the state. Louisville-based Goldenrod Film & Television brought more than 40 cast and crew members to town for two weeks of filming the movie, “Bachelor Santa.”
Calitri said the CVB is working with Owensboro Racing & Gaming to promote that facility and bring more people to town. Many things to come in the future to promote hotel occupancy growth.