INDIANAPOLIS–Indiana will be missing out on as much as $60 million or more because of canceled tournaments and canceled or postponed conventions, due to the effort to stop the spread of coronavirus. Even though many of the conventions in the state happen in Indianapolis, they fill hotels all over the central part of the state.

“Certainly we’re amidst a bit of a tourism crisis here. We’re not immune from this. Other major cities across the U.S. and even globally, tourism is being impacted substantially.” said VisitIndy Vice Pres. Chris Gahl.

“Certainly you look back at other crises that the United States have weathered. We know and have pages from our playbook that have been effective. This one is different. This one is changing day by day, minute by minute.”

Gahl said a USA Volleyball event that was expected to fill hotels and motels has been canceled. That was expected to bring in $24 million.

The international firefighters convention, known as FDIC, has postponed its event.

“The FDIC has been meeting in Indianapolis since 1995. They said, we don’t want to cancel.But, we do need some more time,” said Gahl. He said his team is working with them on rescheduling for later this year.

But, the consequences will likely mean people will be working less and fewer people will be working.

“Our heart is aching because there’s the health concern and there’s also the financial concern,” he said. “At the heart of this is the 83,000 men and women who depend on tourism for a paycheck who, if we don’t have a full city, if our hotels and museums and attractions aren’t full, they’re not working.”

Gahl said it’s likely that at least some part-time workers will have fewer shifts and be making less money.

He also said that it’s too early to fully predict what the scope of the economic impact may be on Indianapolis and Indiana.

 

Image by Olga Lionart from Pixabay