There are 80 article(s) tagged Memphis Tourism:

• November 2021

  • Renasant Convention Center boasts $200 million makeover

    The center’s newly renovated, 118,000-square-foot exhibit hall was recently used as the set for a History Channel commercial featuring Morgan Freeman. 

    By Rob Moore November 18, 2021

• June 2021

  • Did COVID-19 kill business travel?

    Business travel hasn’t resumed its pre-pandemic pace, even with vaccination rates rising and COVID-19 restrictions being lifted. Some are questioning if it ever will.

    By Blake Fontenay June 19, 2021

  • ‘Get Loud!’ concerts to help kick-start return of live music

    The opening show features Grammy-winning singer PJ Morton on June 5. Ten more free concerts will follow on Thursdays through Aug. 12 at the newly renovated W.C. Handy Park on Beale Street. 

    By Ezra Wheeler June 08, 2021

• May 2021

  • Vacation travel is back, but what will it look like?

    After months of being cooped up at home, people are traveling again. That may pose some new challenges in the hospitality industry, though.

    By Blake Fontenay May 28, 2021

• February 2021

  • Checking in: Analysts say Memphis hotels are poised for a bounce-back year

    Analysts say local hotels should do better financially in 2021 than they did last year. But how long it will take for the hospitality industry to fully recover from COVID-19 losses is a matter for debate.

    By Blake Fontenay February 27, 2021

  • American Queen expanding Memphis operations

    American Queen Steamboat Co. announced its 2023 schedule, including a significant increase in the number of cruises along the Mississippi River between Memphis and New Orleans.

    By Blake Fontenay February 18, 2021

  • Black History Month events go virtual at Civil Rights Museum, Stax, Hattiloo

    The National Civil Rights Museum will host a virtual panel Feb. 5 with editors and contributors to the new book “Four Hundred Souls.”

    By Peggy Burch February 04, 2021

• November 2020

  • COVID takes bite out of Downtown tourism fund

    Four months of the COVID-19 pandemic carved $4.2 million out of annual income from the Downtown Memphis Tourism Development Zone. 

    By Wayne Risher November 30, 2020

  • Designers look outward in convention center revamp

    Overseers of the Renasant Convention Center project took media representatives on a tour of the nearing-completion project Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 17.

    By Wayne Risher November 18, 2020

  • Convention center project almost ready to turn lights on

    The nearly $200 million modernization of the Renasant Convention Center is winding down. A lighting ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, to mark the occasion.

    By Wayne Risher November 17, 2020

• October 2020

  • Hub of Memphis outdoors activities created for visitors, residents

    Memphis Tourism measured a 40% increase in likely Memphis visitors who report being interested in “adventurous outdoor activities” since the pandemic hit.

    By Christin Yates October 01, 2020

• July 2020

  • Pent-up leisure demand keeps hotels afloat

    Hotel occupancy rates nationally nearly doubled between early April and July 4, but industry is still hunkered down because of business travel shutdown and recent spikes in COVID-19 cases.

    By Wayne Risher July 15, 2020

• June 2020

  • Bus tour of Memphis’ black history adapts to social distancing

    A Tour of Possibilities is rolling once again, after being closed due to the pandemic. Now, the tour guide talks via Zoom to customers in their cars.

    By Jared Boyd June 21, 2020

  • Memphis tourism keeps eye on protests as COVID-19 recovery inches forward

    Civil rights protests create another headwind for Memphis Tourism's push to rebuild demand for hotels, attractions and restaurants after COVID-19 flattened travel.

    By Wayne Risher June 04, 2020

• May 2020

  • Some Graceland workers have left the building

    Graceland Holdings managing partner Joel Weinshanker said the tourist attraction has permanently laid off less than 20 people whose jobs couldn't be justified during lean times for tourism.

    By Wayne Risher May 22, 2020

  • Graceland tours fit for a President part of COVID-19 comeback tour

    Graceland is reopening with mansion tours reduced to 25% of capacity. Operators bill it as an opportunity to "walk in Elvis' footsteps like never before."

    By Wayne Risher May 18, 2020

  • Memphis Botanic Garden springing back to life

    Memphis Botanic Garden will begin allowing people in to stroll the grounds, starting with members on Thursday, May 7, under a reopening plan approved by city and health officials.

    By Wayne Risher May 11, 2020

  • Tourism industry marks milestone sans visitors

    Memphis Tourism is encouraging Memphians to virtually celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week 2020. The focus is "resilience and hope in the face of the coronavirus pandemic."

    By The Daily Memphian Staff May 04, 2020

  • City could allow some tourist attractions, museums to open in Phase 1

    Parts of Memphis’ $3.5 billion a year tourism industry could make a comeback as soon as next week. The city will vet reopening plans on a case-by-case basis.

    By Wayne Risher May 04, 2020

• April 2020

  • Memphis Airbnb hosts getting hit, but optimistic for future

    This is usually a good time of year for Memphis Airbnb hosts to be booked for months, but they are losings thousands of dollars in income until travel resumes.

    By Erinn Figg April 15, 2020

  • Kane: Record year for Memphis tourism stopped day global pandemic declared

    The head of Memphis Tourism said on "Behind The Headlines" that the recovery of the tourism sector in the city could stretch into 2022. Kevin Kane was appointed recently to a state task force on the economic recovery from COVID-19.

    By Bill Dries April 03, 2020

• March 2020

  • Memphis Tourism to host virtual music festival to aid local musicians

    The free event will include headlining performances from Southern Avenue, MonoNeon and Ben Nichols of Lucero.

    By Jared Boyd March 25, 2020

  • Jobless toll mounts as hotels furlough, eateries close

    Tourism executive estimates 35,000 industry-related workers in Memphis area have been temporarily laid off.

    By Wayne Risher March 24, 2020

  • Coronavirus daily blog, March 19: Tipton County records first COVID-19 case

    Mayor Jim Strickland announces churches, dine-in restaurants and gyms must close.

    By The Daily Memphian Staff March 20, 2020

  • Closings, vacancies accelerate as Memphis tourism braces for downturn

    It's eerily quiet at Memphis area hotels and tourist attractions as coronavirus precautions expand and visitors cancel travel plans.

    By Wayne Risher March 17, 2020