GRANTS PASS – The City of Grants Pass downtown Welcome Center has extended its operating hours to 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday to accommodate an increase in visitors recorded at the center.
During the month of August, local hoteliers reported weeks with occupancy rates surpassing numbers from 2019, and total monthly occupancy for the month saw numbers nearly identical to August 2019. During the past 28 days, Grants Pass hotels reporting their occupancy at a 12.3 percent increase over last year’s period covering the same four weeks.
The steady stream of visitors has also translated into additional guests at the Welcome Center, which has also been fielding regular phone calls and emails from visitors and potential new residents.
Welcome Center staff maintain a large variety of information regarding the City of Grants Pass, local lodging, dining, shopping, and more, as well as a myriad of information about local tourist attractions and visitor activities.
Welcome Center hospitality specialist Kate Bortells said she has been seeing more visitors coming to the center later in the afternoons.
“I went out to my car at 2:05 p.m. yesterday and noticed a couple walking past Dutch Brothers. I had a feeling they were headed to the Welcome Center. I was correct! They stayed for over 30 minutes, and are seriously thinking about moving to Grants Pass,” said Bortells.
Bortells said potential new residents start out as visitors who learn about the many attributes of Grants Pass, and “fall in love with the community while they’re here.”
“It’s such a joy to represent our community every day at the Welcome Center,” she said.
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