Indy braces for Sweet 16 tourist business boom

Indianapolis businesses and attractions are anticipating more revenue this weekend with visitors for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional tournament games being played at Lucas Oil Stadium this Friday and Sunday.

The city has seen an increase in leisure tourism in recent years as host to major sporting events such as the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, Super Bowl XLVI and the Big Ten Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament for the last five consecutive years, 2008-12.

Morgan Greenlee, senior communications manager for Visit Indy, said this weekend is expected to bring in more than 40,000 leisure tourists, many of whom will be attending the games.

One of the larger attractions associated with game crowds includes a tailgate sponsored by Bud Light on Georgia Street. Greenlee said the event was originally created in 2011 for the NCAA Big Ten Football Championship, but has since then been used for other sporting events that the city has continued to play host to.

“Indianapolis is a sports destination and is built to host sporting events like this,” Greenlee said. “Very often when we have visitors for events like the games this weekend we’re able to activate that space to accommodate for more event goers.”

Likewise, many downtown hotels are preparing for a higher quantity of guests this weekend, which is projected to increase revenue.

Mike Clark, Indianapolis Crowne Plaza rooms division manager, said event weekends such as the tournament are a busy time for many hotels, which often causes rates to go up. Customers willingness to pay, as well as location and walking distance are substantial factors, he said, especially with 10 major hotel businesses within a mile of the stadium.

“Typically a weekend like this is a high demand time so rates generally do go up, which is something you’ll find at a lot of hotels,” Clark said. “This is the case for our hotel’s proximity to Lucas Oil Stadium being directly behind our building.”

Proximity to Lucas Oil Stadium will also serve as an advantage for many other downtown businesses, including restaurants and bars.

Despite the fact that the Hoosiers were selected to play in Washington D.C. instead of in Indianapolis, business owners are still preparing for a big turnout.