Southwest Missouri News--Branson

by Carol Harris

Cooper Appraisal LLC reports that the Branson-area motel market continues to grow in overall revenues, with 1997 the best year since 1993.

Information and data gleaned from a recent survey and Smith Travel Research also indicated room rates were up more than 5.5 percent in 1997 over 1996 and room revenues were up 8.7 percent.

According to Cooper Appraisal, room demand went up 2.9 percent, while the supply of rooms went up 4.7 percent, causing occupancies to fall by 1.8 percent last year.

However, the appraisal company surmised that overall increased room demand and room revenue was an indication of increased tourism for 1997.

In a 1998 feasibility study of 10 Branson timeshare projects, Floyd Cooper, of Cooper Appraisal, said managers reported that Branson was "one of the most sought-after destinations to trade for weeks in other parts of the country."

The appraisal company stated that individual timeshares rented in a cost range from $1,800 to $22,800 a week with amenities such as golf courses, pools, tennis courts and marinas.