The number of hotel rooms in downtown Wilmington could soon more than double if all projects currently in the works come to fruition. The roster of new projects downtown includes one hotel that’s under construction and two others in the works – make that possibly three – and at least one other prominent piece of property being marketed as a prime site for a future hotel. Being within walking distance of a targeted destination is very important for hotels’ success, said Public Relations Manager Margo Metzger.
“We have seen inventory in North Carolina grow for several years, including when the economy was down said Lynn Minges with the N.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association.” The lodging market is strong across North Carolina and Wilmington’s hotel numbers are among the highest in the state.
Across the state, there are 77 hotel projects in the pipeline – 16 in construction, 32 in the final planning stage and 29 in planning, said Metzger. Room demand in North Carolina was up 3.2 percent last year to a record, she said. Across the nation, hotel occupancy is expected to rise 0.8 percent, to 61.9 percent, this year, according to research by Smith Travel Research.