Local

Industries thrive from restaurant week in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte's restaurant week is breaking records this week.

Organizers told Channel 9 they expect to see a quarter-of-a-million visitors.

Eyewitness News reporter Stephanie Coueignoux uncovered they have partnered with travel-deal website to bring in even more business to Charlotte.

Doubletree in Southpark is the first hotel to participate in the new marketing push.

Both Charlotte's restaurant week and Travelzoo's websites now offer a 45 percent discount for anyone who books a hotel room there during restaurant week.

"The trial right now is working very well. So far they have sold 174 rooms," said Bruce Hensley, organizer of Queen's Feast Charlotte Restaurant Week.

 That number keeps growing, according to Greater Charlotte Hospitality and Tourism Alliance.

Hotel employees are also benefiting.

"They would have to have more employees or provide additional hours for their existing employees," said Mohammad Jenatian with Greater Charlotte Hospitality and Tourism Alliance. "Either way, it means more paychecks."

Charlotte's restaurant week officials said they hope to expand the marketing campaign and get other hotels on board for its next event in July.

Hyatt officials in uptown told Channel 9 they are interested.

Sullivan's in South End has already part of restaurant week and only sees a benefit to expanding to even more hotels.

"If they have a business trip or they have a friend say, 'Where should I stay and where should I dine? we want to be a part of that," said Rick Crowe with Sullivan's.
 
Sullivan's gets diners from Shelby, Mount Holly, Canada and Puerto Rico and that's just for restaurant week.
 
If Queen's Feast Charlotte Restaurant Week decides to expand the hotel program, it would be tapping into an industry that saw $600 million in sales in Mecklenburg County in 2013.