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Local Tourism Director Says Economy and a Fire Have Kept Hotel Stays Down in 2009
Galesburg's hotel rooms at this point aren't being booked as frequently as last year, but a tourism official says she's still plugging away at it.

Galesburg Area Convention and Visitors Bureau director Diane Bruening says traffic at the Welcome Center on East Main Street remains steady. She says another positive is the bureau is still getting its funding from the state.

Bruening tells WGIL she believes she knows one of the reasons why hotel stays have dropped off.

"Our room nights sold are a little bit down this year, (I) won't know a definite number on that until like in September or October. But we are seeing a little down side to that, although people are still traveling. We are still having just lots and lots of people from all over through the Welcome Center. I think a lot of them are visiting family and may be staying with them instead of staying in the hotels."

Bruening says another factor was the fire at the Galesburg Econo Inn last month. Local authorities have still not released an official cause of the blaze, which claimed the life of a Monmouth man.

It's not clear if the owners of the hotel will rebuild.
07 25 09 by Newsroom
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