BNP Paribas Open brings big business to valley hotels

The BNP Paribas Open is officially underway at the Tennis Garden in Indian Wells. Last year, the event brought more than 400,000 people to the Coachella Valley. All of those people needs a place to stay, which brings big business to local hotels in the area.

“I think the tennis tournament is the epitome of bringing in business because it lasts for two weeks,” said Brad Poncher, General Manager of Homewood Suites in La Quinta.

According to Poncher, the hotel is almost fully booked throughout the duration of the tournament.

“Some people actually book their rooms a whole year in advance we open up the room reservations just after the tennis tournament is completed,” he said.

Joe Riehl and his wife, Suzy, booked their hotel nine months in advance. They say last year they learned the hard way.

“We had a lot of friends coming last year and we weren’t able to join them because we couldn’t get a hotel,” said Joe.

For many of the hotels in the area, available rooms are more expensive than usual too. It’s a price some are willing to pay and some are not.

According to Poncher, even when the tournament is over it will still continue to bring in business.

“What happens is because it takes up so much space during the middle of the month it creates compression during the rest of the month in other words people who may want to come not during the tennis tournament they come at other times,” concluded Poncher.