The number of tourists in Springfield, Mo., this year has risen by a healthy percentage this year, and officials are partially crediting Route 66 for the surge, reported KY3-TV in Springfield.
Citing the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, the station reports that overnight stays in hotels are up 12 percent and the number of tourists overall are up 7 percent so far this year.
The city is seeing more people coming to town to get their kicks, with things like the History Museum on the Square’s Route 66 exhibit.
“We are seeing with this Route 66 exhibit a huge increase in our numbers, stated John Sellars, museum director. “People are coming from all over the world- we have had 15 different countries.”
“We have received some criticism in the past that we haven’t focused enough on Route 66,” said Whisler.
The station also has reported the CVB has seen a big increase in the number of online visitors to its tourism website.