Thanks to PGA Championship, Tulsa projected for largest month of tourism in history
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — We’re roughly a month away from major men’s professional golf’s return to Tulsa, and preparations for the 2022 PGA Championship are well underway, both on the course and off of it.
“It’s exciting to see this all come to life. Because you spend so much time looking at these images whether it's the grandstands, the concession, the hospitality tents,” said Championship Director Bryan Karns. “You see them all on this 2D map, and you forget how big they are, and how much space they take up, but also how cool it is.”
Tulsa Regional Tourism says we’re already starting to see its impact on hotels booked from Tulsa to Oklahoma City.
“It's the largest month for tourism in the history of Tulsa,” said Ashleigh Bachert, Tulsa Regional Tourism interim senior VP. “We have rates ranging anywhere from $250 for a very lower-end limited-service all the way up to $1,200 for a higher-end, full-service property.”
Bachert says one of the best indicators besides tax revenue brought in is bedroom stays per year. In 2020, Tulsa booked just 90,000 rooms because of the pandemic compared to this year, when stays for the PGA alone will nearly eclipse that, with 218,000 room nights already booked for 2022.
“The legacy and the long-term impact that hopefully we have, and you talk about economic impact that can be measured in terms of tax revenue and things that, happen throughout the course of the week, and obviously the months leading up,” said Karns. “But it's really that long-term establishment of Tulsa and the viability to host big events.”
And if you want a restaurant reservation, Bachert says that week may be better served at the drive-through for us Tulsans.
“We can't find reservations, so my house may be hosting some evening events here shortly,” said Bachert.
Ahead of the tournament, Tulsa Regional Tourism released their Spring 2022 Tulsa Visitor Guide which can be found here.