A good summer season is built on more than major events like Memorial Day weekend’s Iron Horse Bicycle tournament.
Dozens of smaller summer gatherings also help keep downtown Durango humming.
This weekend Durango Youth Lacrosse held its Durango Duel Tournament.
Jordan Rupe, recreation supervisor with Durango Parks and Recreation, said the tournament brought in more than 250 children from ages 10 to 14 and their families for the two-day tournament.
Jack Llewellyn, executive director of the Durango Chamber of Commerce, said smaller events like the Durango Duel and other youth sports events are an important factor in building a healthy tourist season.
“Every player is coming with their mom and dad and probably an extra sibling,” Llewellyn said. “I happened to talk with the general manager of the Hampton Inn on Thursday, and they were sold out. It’s events like this that help, and we haven’t seen that for more than a year.”
Small events also tend to bring back repeat visitors.
Llewellyn said: “Families will come for the event, but then they’ll experience everything we have to offer, and they’ll say, ‘Wow, we’ve got to come back later this summer, and they go back home and they’ll tell their friends, ‘We had a great time in Durango, you ought to check it out.’”
Michelle Shiao of Grand Junction said she and her son, Aiden, arrived Friday and have enjoyed visiting the local restaurant scene.
They particularly enjoyed Chimayo on Friday night. Twenty-two members are on Aiden’s 12 and under team, and a good number of families returned to Chimayo to eat Saturday evening.
Brandy Elliss of Grand Junction said, “It’s been fun, but very cold, wet and windy. But we always enjoy Durango.”
Rupe said Saturday’s thunder and lightning storm forced postponement of some games.
But teams rescheduled and began play at 8 a.m. Sunday and caught up.
Seventeen teams came from El Paso, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Grand Junction, and Gunnison.
“We brought a couple hundred people to the region, and that’s probably helpful for the economy,” he said. “Most folks got here Friday. So they’re at our hotels and eating at our restaurants.
Regional lacrosse teams hold tournaments in around the region. This year’s schedule included earlier tournaments in Grand Junction, Vail and Aspen. The season wrapped up with the Durango Duel.
Llewellyn suspects pent-up demand among travelers, who have had limited options during the pandemic, might also lead them to increase the length of their stays and spending might go up, too.
“Travel has been limited for more than a year, so I think there could be some pent-up demand. And families may have a little extra money in the travel budget after not being able to get out on trips last year,” he said.
parmijo@durangoherald.com
