Gillette Hotel Prices Surge Ahead of International Pathfinder Camporee
1 April 2024 |
In Gillette, Wyoming, anticipation for the upcoming International Pathfinder Camporee, scheduled from August 5 to 11, has led to a dramatic spike in hotel room rates, according to a recent article in the Gillette News Record. This surge in prices has not gone unnoticed, especially by the Campbell County Commissioners, who have raised concerns over the implications for future events.
During a recent Joint Powers Lodging Tax Board meeting, Commissioner Kelley McCreery expressed his apprehension, noting that while the county’s legal counsel views the price hikes as a result of the free market, he worries about the precedent it sets. “If they get away with it on this, anything that we have in the future that they know about, they can do the same thing,” McCreery remarked.
The issue was further compounded by Commissioner Butch Knutson’s inquiry about the disparity in room rates between the Camporee volunteers and attendees of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which occurs simultaneously. Jessica Seders, executive director of the Campbell County Convention and Visitors Bureau, confirmed that Sturgis rally-goers were offered lower rates, attributing the difference to the demand for rooms.
Adding to the controversy, Seders revealed that approximately 150 room reservations for Camporee volunteers, confirmed well in advance, were unilaterally canceled by hotels only to be rebooked at higher rates. This practice has not only raised concerns about fairness and ethics but has also potentially marred Gillette’s reputation as a host city for large events.
The Campbell County Commissioners are taking these issues seriously, with Tom Lubnau, legal counsel for the lodging tax board, planning to meet with county representatives to explore possible responses to both the price surge and the cancellation debacle.
Cowboy State Daily writes that “…two- and three-star hotels such as La Quinta and the Ramada Plaza are costing anywhere from $550 to $900 a night.” Campbell County Commissioner Butch Knutson thinks the prices are ludicrous, telling Cowboy State Daily that, “As a commission, we can’t do anything because this is a private enterprise. The hotel owners are entitled to whatever price they feel like charging.” However he feels that “it doesn’t paint the Gillette community in a positive light and could discourage people from returning in the future.”
The article continues: “Gillette Mayor Shay Lundvall understands the points of capitalism and a free market, but he is also disappointed to see local hotel owners and Airbnb hosts steeply increase their prices during Camporee week. ‘I agree with a free market,’ says Lundvall, ‘but my perspective is that we want to make sure we have an accommodating and encouraging environment for people to want to come back.'”
As Gillette prepares to welcome thousands for the Camporee, the actions taken in response to these concerns will be closely watched by other organizations planning large events, hinting at broader implications for the city’s future as a welcoming host community.
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