Guest column

   The opening of Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway is a tourism game-changer for Kansas City, Kan.

   The term, “tourism game-changer” is one I have used many times over the last 10-plus years. Kansas Speedway, each major component at Village West, Livestrong Sporting Park and  large destination-type events like Farm Aid and KanRocksas, are just a few of the game-changers that have propelled Kansas City, Kan., into a new tourism arena. Each of these new additions have added another reason to visit, to stay a little longer and to spend a little more money.

   Visitors who come to Kansas City, Kan., are looking for a wide range of activities. A typical visitor is traveling with family, possibly with multi generations, and looking for a variety of things to do. The casino will offer these visitors one more option. In the past, visitors looking for a casino experience had to travel across the state line. We lost that revenue, a potential overnight stay, a shopping excursion, and a stop at the local gas station. Conservative estimates show that an average visitor to Kansas City, Kan., spends $167 per person per day while in our community. By offering a destination-type casino, visitors will stay longer and return more often.

   Not only will the casino encourage our current visitors to stay longer and to return more often, it will additionally attract a new pool of visitors. Casinos are consistently one of the top reasons visitors choose a specific destination.  These new visitors bring new dollars into our community.

   The goal of the Kansas City, Kan., Convention and Visitors Bureau is to market Kansas City, Kan., as a visitor destination and to increase the number of overnight stays in our hotels. Hollywood Casino furthers elevates Kansas City, Kan., as a major destination for visitors.  It takes us up a level. It is a game-changer.

   Bridgette Jobe is the executive director of the Kansas City, Kan., Convention and Visitors Bureau.