Southwest Missouri News--Branson

by Carol Harris, Branson area, and Mary Engler-Guccione, Joplin area

During its September Autumn Daze Show, the Downtown Branson Betterment Association surveyed about 250 visitors, gleaning information about their vacations to Branson. Some of their responses included:

?Number visiting the downtown area for the first time 23 percent.

?Reason for visit besides attending craft show shopping, 88 percent; dining, 51 percent; and lakefront area recreation , 31 percent.

?Number of nights staying in Branson one to two nights, 19 percent; three to four nights, 26 percent; five to six nights, 9 percent; seven to nine nights, 12 percent; and 10 or more nights, 6 percent.

?States represented Missouri, 54 percent; Arkansas, 11 percent; Kansas, 10 percent; Texas, 7 percent; Iowa, 6 percent; and other states, 2 to 3 percent.

The DBBA also announced the dates for its retail holiday promotional event, Candlelight Christmas, Nov. 13-15.