Mississippi Gulf Coast’s hotels slowly reopen
BILOXI AND GULFPORT, MISS.—One year after Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the hotel industry is making a slow, but steady recovery. Casino hotels have been the quickest to rebound, but the remains and wrecked shells of hotels and motels lay all along the coast.
Managers and proprietors in the area said housing, development and insurance issues present major challenges in their road to recovery, but progress is being made.
“I would say that [progress] is actually going better and faster than we anticipated,” said Linda Hornsby, executive director of the Mississippi Hotel & Lodging Assn. “When you walk into some of these larger hotels that have reopened, you would not know that anything has happened.”
On Aug. 29—the one-year anniversary of the monster storm—the 32-story, 1,740-room Beau Rivage reopened its doors after a year of clean-up and renovation. Although designed to withstand a category 5 hurricane, the resort’s first two floors were overcome by the towering surge. Its opening has been a boon for the local economy and tourism industry and serves as a testament to the coast’s future. The newly-remodeled megaresort features seven restaurants, four bars and lounges, retail shops and an 85,000-square-foot casino.
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I didn’t find tihs in the news, but during one of my visits to Biloxi Casino websites I noticed that another addition at the Treasure Bay casino has been opened. Previously the small casino only housed 80 slot and video poker machines. Now that number has grown to 228. Good news for the Treasure Bay! Easily one of my favorite casinos.
Here is info from their website: Read the rest of this entry »
Gulf Coast is rebounding slowly, with a measure of glam and hope
BILOXI — As Hurricane Katrina reminded us, life is a gamble along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Now, the area is betting that high-rollers will resurrect tourism, generate much-needed revenue and employment, and provide impetus for future growth.
Even as tens of thousands of residents remain in trailers or other temporary homes — their normal routine torn asunder — roulette wheels are back to spinning and dice are rolling.
“The potential is higher than ever,” insists Stephen Richer, executive director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Before Katrina, we were looking at $3 billion to $6 billion in new development projects. Now, it’s $20 billion to $30 billion.”
Already there is progress.
Biloxi’s 1,750-room Beau Rivage Resort & Casino reopened on Aug. 29 — the one-year anniversary of Katrina’s assault. Glitzier than ever, the 32-story resort overlooks the Mississippi Sound and offers multiple restaurants, entertainment and a spa. It’s the coast’s largest employer with a 3,800-person staff.
Seven other casinos — all but one with overnight accommodations — have reopened between Biloxi and Bay St. Louis. The number of resorts could approach 20 by the end of this decade, according to projections. Read the rest of this entry »
