COLUMBIA, S.C. — City leaders are exploring strategies for attracting more business to Columbia, with a surprising focus: the need for additional full-service hotels.
While the Capital City has a thriving hotel industry, officials say its reliance on limited-service accommodations is holding back opportunities to host major conventions and sporting events.
"We have a vibrant hotel industry. We have a lot of great hotels," said Bill Ellen, CEO of Experience Columbia. "The majority of our hotels are limited service. Unfortunately, sometimes the services that are offered by limited-service hotels don't meet requirements for larger conventions or certain sporting events.”
Ellen pointed to Columbia’s recent exclusion from hosting the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament as an example of the limitations. The NCAA requires eight full-service hotels to meet its standards for providing equitable experiences for student-athletes, and Columbia fell short.
Despite this gap, Ellen says the city is well-equipped for leisure travel, offering a variety of accommodations that meet most travelers' needs.
City leaders, including Carl Blackstone, President and CEO of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, say that while new hotel developments downtown are welcome, they don’t fully address the city’s needs for attracting large-scale events.
"Will they be a benefit? Absolutely," Blackstone said. "But to host major sporting events, we need more full-service hotels to accommodate athletes and fans alike."
Columbia has proven it can host major events, as demonstrated by the Rivals in Red soccer game at Williams-Brice Stadium in August, according to Blackstone, who believes that with a strategic approach, the city can capitalize on its strengths while addressing infrastructure gaps.
"Columbia has what it takes to host a great event. We just need to ensure we have the right plan to attract more of these big opportunities," Blackstone said.
As Columbia grows, leaders are working to position the city as a top destination for conventions and sports tourism, starting with a closer look at how to meet the full-service hotel demand.