The Danville-Pittsylvania area, with a current hotel occupancy rate of 62%, anticipates a surge in visitors due to the opening of Caesars casino and resort in 2024. Although Danville’s 850 hotel rooms will see an addition of 45 rooms with the Holbrook Hotel and 500 from Caesars, there’s debate about whether this capacity will meet rising demand. A consultant will assess the region’s lodging needs, considering the growing tourism, which reached record highs in 2022. With the expected influx of 2 million annual visitors from the casino alone, the area is exploring options to accommodate diverse lodging preferences.
“The demand is not going to stop,” said Lisa Meriweather, tourism director for Danville and Pittsylvania County. “It’s not going to stop, and it’s not slowing down.”