THOUSANDS OF VISITORS CALL CAPE HOME FOR A NIGHT AT LOCAL MOTELS

Almost a quarter-million visitors spent the night in Cape Girardeau over the past year. That figure is expected to swell to a healthier number in the near future.

Those in the know figure more than 325,000 visitors each year may call Cape Girardeau home for a night.

The reason for increased demand in lodging will likely be attributed to two factors: Addition of more than 100 motel rooms this year and the prospect of riverboat gambling, which almost certainly will bring more tourists and megabucks to Cape Girardeau.

Cape Girardeau currently has more than 800 motel rooms, ranging from basic lodging in "no frills" budget motels to apartment-size hotel suites featuring all the amenities -- health clubs, game rooms, gift shops, and lounges with live entertainment.

"We have 805 rooms listed in the city," said Mary Miller, director of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau. "That does not count the Drury Suites, which will open later this year, placing the total rooms about the 900 mark."

Construction is currently under way on the new five-story, 87-room Drury Suites, which is being built north of the Cape Budget Inn at the corner of Siemers and Campster Drives.

The new motel will face Interstate 55 and will include four meeting rooms, a five-story atrium, glass elevator and indoor pool.

Cape Girardeau motel executives place the annual occupancy rate at 65 to 70 percent, which translates into more than 200,000 filled rooms per year.

"There are times when we are full," said Pete Poe, manager of Drury Inn here.

Poe, and Dan Drury, of Mid-America Hotels, Inc. -- Holiday Inn and Victorian Inn -- agree that a number of weekend events throughout the year result in scarcity of rooms in Cape Girardeau.

"One of the those events will be coming up soon," said Drury, in reference to Southeast Missouri State University's "SEmotion Relays, which attracts large crowds.

The annual SEmotion Relays attracts as many as 1,000 athletes to the Abe Stuber Track & Field Complex each April, in addition to fans. Some people may be seeking rooms at Jackson, Perryville and Sikeston. The 1994 relays will held April 8-9.

Other big university dates include Parents Weekend, homecoming and graduation, although the latter two dates are not as big for the motel industry as in the past.

"Homecoming used to be a big weekend for us," said Drury. "But in recent years, the university has scheduled Parent's Day and Homecoming weekend about two weeks apart. A lot of parents will take in one of these events but not both."

The two events are only a week apart for 1994. Parents Day will be Oct. 22, and Homecoming is Oct. 29.

The motel industry has also experienced a slowdown on graduation weekend, added Drury. "Graduation ceremonies are now being held earlier in the day," he said. "Many parents are driving in early, and leaving following graduation. Not as many are staying overnight."

"Riverfest, the Southeast Missouri District Fair, The annual Sikeston Rodeo (Aug. 11-13) and the 5-H Ranch Exotic Animal Auction (April 16-17) provide "fill-up" periods," said Poe. "And, soccer tournaments are always big weekends."

Conventions provide some full and near-full occupancy weekends during the year.

Two of the larger gatherings for 1994 are the Womens Missionary Union Baptist Conference, April 12-16, and the Midwest Forestry Show, Sept. 24-25.

"We're expecting as many as 3,000 people for the Baptist Conference," said a spokesperson of the CVB.

More than 6,000 people attended the Midwest Forest Show here in 1990 and over 7,000 attended the 1992 show. Many of these people stayed overnight. The show is held at the Show Me Center every two years.

Drury and Poe both agree that gambling could have some impact on the motel industry in Cape Girardeau.

"I can't say how much it impact us," said Poe. "But, it will make a difference."

Riverboat gambling operations at nearby Metropolis, Ill., have made a significant impact in the Metropolis and Paducah, Ky. motel industry.

Revenue from McCracken County's (Paducah) motel-room tax is at its highest level ever, apparently a result of tourists' interest in the Players Riverboat Casino located at Metropolis. The casino is only a few miles away from Paducah.

Some of the increase may be attributable to higher room rates, but the bulk is the result of an increase in visitors to the region, said Me Me Wiley, director of the Paducah-McCracken County Tourist and Convention Commission. Figures from the 3-cent motel tax show a 20 percent increase since the casino opened in early 1993.

More than 100,000 people visit the casino each month.

The Metropolis motel industry underwent some major changes with the arrival of the casino. All were remodeled, and a new motel opened alongside Interstate 24 at the Metropolis exit. All report good occupancy rates and are full on many weekends.

Another hotel is scheduled to open soon -- a 120-room Players Riverfront Hotel on the banks of the Ohio River near the riverboat casino. Plans for the new hotel operation also call for a 400-to-500-seat theater at the location.