Branson visitor numbers up over 2008

Visitor numbers in the Branson area were up 5.4 percent in the first four months of the year, the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce reported Tuesday.

The chamber presented a marketing report on statistics for January through April at the Branson Board of Aldermen meeting.

Most of the area's visitors came from within a 300-mile radius.

Average spending per visitor group was $765 for an entire length of stay, up 20 percent from $638 in 2008, according to a news release. The number of first-time visitors also increased, to 27 percent, compared to 15 percent in 2008.

Visitors stayed 4.7 days on average, compared to 3.9 days in 2008. The average adult age of visitors was 59, compared to 55 in 2008.

In the first quarter, the Branson Convention Center reported revenues up $145,500 compared to first-quarter 2008 but $218,000 short of budget. Some large conventions were cancelled in the winter due to the economy, according to the release.

Event days for the quarter totaled 47, compared to 45 in 2008. Half of the convention center's business came from Missouri, another 16 percent came from Kansas and 14 percent came from Kentucky.See SBJ's July 6 issue for a feature section on travel and tourism.