Branson visitation slumps in first quarter

About 927,000 visitors came to Branson through March, compared to about 1 million visitors a year ago, according to a city news release.

Lennon attributed the decline to a slowing economy and higher gas prices. He also said weather has been a factor, pointing to local flooding and the fact that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has declared federal disaster areas in more than 400 counties in Missouri and surrounding states, which are where many Branson visitors come from, the release said.

Travel nationwide is growing, Lennon said, but many people plan to stay home, shop for discounts and visit fewer paid attractions. As a result, the chamber is advertising in markets closer to home such as Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and Louisiana; marketing the city’s value; stressing that Branson is open for business and not flooded; promoting the Gasbusters and Rebate Check programs; and developing a small site on the chamber’s Web site that quickly sends visitors to sites for shows, attractions and lake activities, the release said.

Also at the board’s Monday meeting, aldermen turned down a planned housing development for Bay Harbor on Sunset Road, west of Sunset Park along Lake Taneycomo. The project would have included nine single-family upscale homes built on stilts due to their location in a flood plain.

After nearly two hours of public discussion, during which nine people spoke against the development, the proposal failed 4–1, according to the release. Neighbors cited increased traffic, safety issues, noise and neighborhood preservation as their reasons for opposing the project.