HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformation Only 111224AGENDA
INFORMATION UPDATE
November 12, 2024
5:00 PM,
I.Information Update
I.A October 2024 Destination Marketing Report
I.B New Laundry Facilities Now Operational at APCHA Properties
Oct2024 DM Report Dash.pdf
APCHA Laundry Info Only Memo 2.docx
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October 2024 Destination Marketing Report for Council
Destination Marketing: Aspen has been recognized as a 2024 Green Destinations Top 100 stories for the 3rd year in a
row. The story this year “Aspen’s Climate Commitment: Pioneering Sustainability in the Rockies” highlighted both the
City of Aspen and ACRA’s commitment to addressing climate change via policies and programs. The Marketing Advisory
Committee met on October 17th and featured a guest presentation from our counterparts from Destination Queenstown
(NZ). Mat Woods (DQ) shared with the committee the Queenstown Destination Management plan and how they are
utilizing travel as a force for good and to export innovations and thought leadership to the world. We also hosted the
arts & culture non-profits on October 24th. We have submitted a letter of support to Pitkin County on their draft
management plan for Smuggler Mountain Open Space management plan.
The sales team posted our quarterly social media update with Destination Colorado on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram.
This post is part of our DC membership that helps get us promoted on the Destination Colorado social channels. ACRA
represented Aspen and our hotel partners at IMEX. We exhibited under the Destination Colorado booth and participated
in prescheduled appointments with corporate, social, and incentive planners.
Special Events: Rock Your Soul at Wintersköl! Thank you to Jonathan Whitman for submitting this year's winning slogan.
(If anyone knows Jonathan, please let him know we are trying to reach him!). The events team is steadily working on all
the details of Wintersköl and are excited to highlight a few of the NEW happenings: Its Highland’s and Buttermilk’s
opening weekend, AVSC Rail Jam will now be featured at the base of The Little Nell Run, and the ACRA Business
Luncheon will shift to a local workforce apprec iation kick off evening – more details coming soon. We have also selected
our NEW Royalty and will be announcing them soon. We are still looking for more restaurants to register for Soupsköl
online. The current schedule of events is online and will be updated as events are confirmed.
Airport Guest Services: While flights numbers have been reduced for shoulder season, the guest services staff has
observed relatively full flights during this beautiful October. Airport parking lots have reached capacity several times this
month resulting in calls to airport guest services team, PitkinAlert has been sending notifications when lot is full. Chip &
seal maintenance on Airport frontage road is complete.
Visitor Centers: The beautiful weather this October has brought in very happy visitors heading out to view the fall
foliage. We have completed the move from the Gondola Plaza back to the Cooper Avenue Pavilion location and are busy
cleaning and organizing. This quieter time is used to recycle summer magazines and brochures and prepare for incoming
winter information. The fall restaurant closure list is finished and is available on ACRA’s website Fall Dining Hours in
Aspen. The list has been sent to concierges and visitors who requested this information, it is very helpful for those
planning off season trips and concierges making reservations. The North Mill Steet bridge construction that began
September 3rd is now complete.
Sales Tax Reports: As of the August 2024 Consumption Tax Report, released in October, the 2024 Tourism Promotion
Fund is coming in 5% ahead of 2023 collections and flat to projections.
Recent Press Coverage
Occupancy statistics and commentary, as well as visitor center counts, website data and air service information can now
be found on the following page in the Defy Ordinary Dashboard. All data points are sourced from our monthly report
with Blue Room Research and can be found in the Data Center on the website.
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HOTEL
OCCUPANCY
ASE
PASSENGER
DATA
VISITOR
CENTER
COUNTS
KEY
TAKEAWAYS
WEBSITE
STATS
ACRA's 4 Visitor Information Centers saw a
24% increase in traffic in September 2024
as compared to September 2023. Staff
assisted 11,242 individuals this year.
OCTOBER 2024
In September 2024, Aspen's lodging properties reported the following:
•Occupancy grew 4.5% YOY to 62.5%
•Average Daily Rate decreased 1.4% to $586
•Room Nights Available increased 4.5% YOY
•Room Nights Booked increased 9.3% YOY
September load factor was 71.9% vs. 75.3% in 2023.
September Completion was 99.6% this year.
United’s twice daily ORD service took a seasonal pause starting
October 27th. Following that, ASE is going to continue to see the most
robust schedules ever offered in November with American, Delta and
United continuing to offer year-round service with a total of 14 flights
daily from five hubs.
Aspen website top performing blogs and pages for September
Blogs:
1.Favorite Fall Hikes (13,126 views)
2.Ghost Towns & Cemetaries (9,447 views)
3.Fall arts & culture roundup (6,414 views)
4.5 Reasons to Visit in Autumn (4,815 views)
5.Aspen Fall Bucket List (3,739 views)
Pages:
1.Maroon Bells Reservations (87,707 views)2.Discover the Maroon Bells (15,280 views)3.Ask a Local: Favorite fall hikes (13,126
views)4.Ghost Towns & Cemetaries (9,447 views)5.Events (9,172 views)
•“So now we can turn to the road ahead and winter. Unfortunately, it’s very much the same as early summer
was before ADR adjustments – and early winter last year for that matter.”
•“Rate is up moderately, occupancy is down, and revenue is sitting minutely above flat. The issue has little
to do with the product and everything to do with current economic and weather conditions. In a nutshell,
until the snow starts to fall, bookings are going to be dictated by the economy.”
•“Consumers remain focused on recovery from the past two years’ inflation, and rate sensitivity is a key
contributor to early booking pace and occupancy issues for the winter ahead.”
•“The challenge of securing new rental homes is evident in the decline of new listings, defined as those
never appearing in our data before September. These listings dropped by 17.1% compared to September
2023, marking the seventh consecutive month of year-over-year (YOY) declines and the largest single-
month percentage drop since October 2020 * Source Destimetrics & AirDNA
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INFORMATION ONLY MEMORANDUM
TO:Aspen City Council
FROM:Nicole Morehead, Project Coordinator, APCHA
THROUGH:Matthew Gillen, Executive Director, APCHA
MEMO DATE:November 12, 2024
RE: New Laundry Facilities Now Operational at APCHA Properties
PURPOSE: This memorandum is for informational purposes only, providing an update
on the recent laundry machine replacements and upcoming facility upgrades at APCHA
properties. No action is requested of Council.
SUMMARY: We’re pleased to share an update with Council on the recent installation of
new laundry machines at Truscott, Aspen Country Inn, and Marolt Ranch. Thanks to the
Council's support and approval, we’ve entered into a five-year partnership with CSC
Service Works, who will operate the laundry facilities and oversee the maintenance of
the new Speed Queen machines.
Before this upgrade, about 70% of the old machines were out of order, which led to
considerable frustration among residents. Despite issuing an RFP last year and multiple
calls to contractors who repair laundry equipment, we were unable to partner with a
repair contractor. The new machines, equipped with modern digital payment systems,
have greatly improved convenience and efficiency. In total, we replaced 35 washers and
41 dryers, resulting in a much better user experience.
Looking ahead, we plan to allocate capital project funds for further enhancements to the
laundry facilities. This will include renovations like new flooring, fresh paint, and
upgraded amenities to enhance both the appearance and functionality of the laundry
rooms.
These enhancements will not only elevate the living environment for residents but also
align with the City of Aspen’s commitment to innovation and stewardship, supporting a
thriving community for all.
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NEXT STEPS:No action is requested of Council at this time. We will continue
monitoring the performance of the new machines and proceed with planned laundry
room upgrades.
CITY MANAGER NOTES:
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