Holiday travelers come to Augusta

Augusta is cashing in on the Fourth of July holiday.

Family reunions, out-of-town visitors and local residents deciding to stay at area hotels rather than travel for vacations are bringing business to the local economy.

There are eight family reunions in town, which are bringing in $244,000 in visitor spending , said Jennifer Bowen, the vice president of public relations for the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"The Fourth of July is a big family reunion weekend. There's over 877 people in town," she said.

She said those visitors will spend money shopping, dining out and buying groceries for family picnics.

Tracie Gallop of Augusta said her family reunion is held here every seven years. The coordinator for the four-day Johnson family reunion said 150 people are coming from New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina.

"They really enjoy coming to Augusta because they think we give them good Southern hospitality," Ms. Gallop said.

Cynthia Anderson is holding the first official Jones-Carpenter family reunion in Augusta this year. She has about 100 family members arriving from Atlanta, Alaska, Maryland and North Carolina, she said.

"We decided to have it here because the majority of the family is here. Our goal is to do this every two years," Ms. Anderson said.

Augusta is also a regional destination for the Fourth of July, Ms. Bowen said.

"People will come from more than a 50-mile radius into Augusta to see the different events that are happening here, the fireworks, Riverblast and events that Fort Gordon has planned," she said. "Because Augusta is the central hub for our region, that's why we're able to draw people from around our area."

In addition to reunion crowds, local hotels are targeting area customers. Marriott Hotel & Suites has a Stay and Play package that offers local residents a room for $79 per night, said Darryl Leech, the vice president and general manager.

"We've had some local area residents buy that package for July Fourth , a lot of people wanting to come down for First Friday and the Fourth of July fireworks celebration," Mr. Leech said. "We have a fair amount of group business as well, so we're forecasting to run about a 70 percent occupancy on July Fourth."

There's been "a small uptake in staycations," said Marty Matfess, the vice president of the Newport Group, which manages five area hotels : the DoubleTree Hotel Augusta, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn, Wingate Inn and Hampton Inn.

"At most of the hotels, it's a one night getaway," Mr. Matfess said.

There has also been "a small uptake in customers coming from slightly longer distances" such as Atlanta, Charleston and Myrtle Beach, he said.

Reach LaTina Emerson at (706) 823-3227 or latina.emerson@augustachronicle.com.