Blog

A New Chapter in Abilene’s Hospitality: Reflecting on Hotel Trends and Our Newest Addition

Hotel in Abilene
Blog
Jul 2023
Rob Lopez, VP of the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau

We are excited to bring you some uplifting news on the tourism front from our beloved city. As we continue to make strides in the hospitality sector, it’s an opportune time to reflect on the performance of our hotels and the recent unveiling of a remarkable new addition to our cityscape – the DoubleTree by Hilton Abilene Downtown Convention Center Hotel.

The state of our city’s hotel occupancy reveals a positive trend. Our average occupancy rate for the current year stands at 66.0%, a slight but encouraging increase from the previous year’s average of 64.1%. We’ve also achieved a new milestone with a peak occupancy rate of 71.5% (MAR 2023), a subtle but promising growth from last year’s 71.4% (JUN 2022).

Another encouraging number is the Average Daily Rate (ADR). So far in 2023, the ADR has climbed to $92.78, marking a healthy growth of 5.6% from the 2022 figure of $87.89. The increased ADR suggests that visitors are willing to spend more per night, indicating a higher perceived value and satisfaction with their experience in Abilene.

This uplift has contributed to our year-to-date hotel revenue for 2023 reaching an impressive $33,798,818, surpassing the 2022 figure of $31,449,291 by a commendable 7.5%. This inspiring progress echoes our city’s dynamic and thriving hospitality scene.

These positive trends in Abilene’s hotel economy are a testament to the city’s growing appeal as a destination. It reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in promoting our city, its attractions, and its unique story.

Speaking of unique stories, the opening of the DoubleTree by Hilton Abilene Downtown Convention Center Hotel adds another chapter to Abilene’s narrative. With 200 rooms, a smokehouse restaurant, cocktail lounge, and an impressive 23,000 square feet of meeting space, this new hotel will undoubtedly be a magnet for both business and leisure travelers.

At this pivotal moment, we look ahead with optimism, inspired by our city’s resilience, its capacity for growth, and the continued commitment of our community. The opening of the DoubleTree by Hilton Abilene Downtown Convention Center Hotel marks not just a milestone in our tourism industry, but also a reaffirmation of our city’s vibrant future.

Let’s continue to write Abilene’s story together. Here’s to more success and continued growth in our tourism sector.