Hotel business booming in Regina

REGINA – You may have noticed several hotels have broken ground in Regina, or are planning to soon.

With nine hotels planned by 2016, the number of rooms available in Regina could increase 25 per cent to over 3750.

“Regina is showing one of the highest occupancy rates in Canada at just over 76 per cent,” said Tracy Fahlman, Regina Hotel Association CEO.

The boom is due in part to more major events coming to Regina.

This year alone, the city has hosted the Juno Awards, Paul McCartney, and this November, the Grey Cup.

“We’re starting to get bookings into 2017,” Fahlman said. “It shows how strong our market is in terms of an event destination.”

Whether they’re here for an event or not, keeping travelers busy is important too.

ExploreRegina.com launched Monday, taking the traditional book of restaurants and attractions online.

“When you start talking millions of people coming here annually, we can’t just assume they know stuff,” said Lorne Pavelick, one of the site’s creators. “It’s important we provide detailed, accurate information.”

As the number of visitors climbs, developers see the need for more rooms.

“When you look at five years ago, we didn’t have near the occupancy levels we have now,” said Larry Hiles of the Regina Regional Opportunities Commission (RROC).

“I think it’s a pent up demand for hotels.”

The hotel business is booming in nearly all parts of the city, including the Warehouse District and the east end, which hotel officials say covers a wide-range of travelers.

“Downtown will typically accommodate corporate travelers, then you look to the outside of the city, and they’ll accommodate a lot of sporting events and special events,” Fahlman said.