Home2 Suites by Hilton, located off the bypass at 1576 Brampton Avenue behind the Parker’s convenience store, is now open. The 96 suite hotel cost nearly $8 million to construct. The hotel is owned by BPR-Properties. They also own the 90 room Hampton Inn in the Market District.
BPR-Properties is headquartered in High Point, North Carolina and has an administrative office in Savannah. BPR owns and operates 19 hotels in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
Home2 Suites is an innovative mid-scale, all-suite extended stay hotel that is designed for cost-conscious travelers staying a few months or just a few nights. Each suite includes separate living and bedroom areas featuring the proprietary Home2 Suites “working wall” which incorporates a kitchen and a flexible working/media area.
Each kitchen is fully accessorized including a refrigerator with a freezer, dishwasher, microwave oven, coffee maker and place settings for six. The working/media space has a queen size sofa/sleeper, flat screen TV and furniture that can be moved to create a customized living space and adjustable storage options.
Additional amenities include a saline-based pool, patios with grills, outdoor seating areas, 24-hour business center, 100% pet friendly environment and an integrated guest laundry and exercise space.
Extended Stay research shows guests often seek community and connection after several days. To address this, Home2 Suites features an open lobby area with approximately 4,200 square foot of community space called the “Oasis.”
Sustainability is also a key design feature and point of emphasis for Home2 Suites, with the brand incorporating various environmentally conscious operations and amenities. Guest suites feature low-flow showers and faucets, compact florescent light bulbs, dual-flush toilets, biodegradable food trays, recycled flooring and carpet tiles, Energy Star appliances, bulk bath amenities and other sustainable product selections.
The landscaping includes indigenous-only plants to minimize water usage and irrigation needs. Home2 Suites will also incorporate Hilton Worldwide’s Light Stay system, which measures energy use, water consumption, waste and carbon output to help minimize the environmental impact of each property.
The opening of this new hotel, the construction of the Stay Lodge and the renovation of the Baymont to a Holiday Inn Express indicate the tourism, sports and business travel markets must be on the upswing. I reached out to Becky Davis, Executive Director of the Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau, to get an update on the health of the tourism market in Bulloch County.
Tourism Numbers SOAR in Statesboro
“Based on numbers just released by the U.S. Travel association, the tourism industry generated $146.19 million in direct, domestic traveler expenditures in Bulloch County in 2017, which are the most recent numbers available”, said Davis. “With the addition of two new hotels and the upcoming construction of numerous attractions, I am confident this number will continue to increase. Tourism IS economic development.”
There are currently 22 hotels in Bulloch County providing 1359 rooms for travelers.
According to the study made available through the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the tourism industry created $6.26 million in state tax revenues and generated $4.21 million in local tax revenues for Bulloch County and its cities in 2017. Each household in Bulloch County would need to be taxed an additional $393 per year to replace taxes generated by tourism activity. The tourism industry also supported more than 1200 jobs and created $28.38 million in payroll in Bulloch County.
“Georgia’s tourism industry plays a vital role in our economy with a record-breaking $63.1 billion in business sales including direct, indirect and induced impact, and more importantly, creates more than 460,000 jobs for Georgians,” said Kevin Langston, deputy commissioner for tourism at the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “We can see the impact from tourism in every community across the state. Tourists come to our communities, leave their dollars in our businesses and government coffers, and then return home. It’s a win-win proposition.”
As reported in the Statesboro Herald Business Tuesday – February 5, 2019
