Local businesses anticipating economic boost over New Year’s weekend

Thousands of people are expected to descend on Palm Springs for the New Year’s holiday weekend celebrations. Visitors have already booked reservations at hotels and restaurants.

Kurt Englund, the managing principal at Arrive Hotel, said all 32 rooms on the property have all been booked for the weekend. He said it is not surprising to see an influx of visitors this time of year.

“We have definitely experienced our busiest week since we’ve opened last February,” he said. “But from working with the other locals, it is something that is pretty typical this time of year.”

Englund said the potential economic boost from the New Year’s revelers was welcome for his hotel.

“It’s exciting to see the economy doing well and you’ve noticed it on the roads a little bit,” he said. “A little bit more traffic as you drive around town, which is great to see.”

Joy Meredith, president of Main Street Palm Springs and owner of Crystal Fantasy in downtown, said she has seen the traffic. Meredith said while in the past, the New Year’s holiday was a slower time of year, she has seen the festivities pick up steam in recent years to become a busy time of year.

“We’ve seen a big boost both with Christmas and the whole week in between Christmas and New Year’s has been really awesome,” she said. “So, we’re expecting lots and lots of people.”

Despite rain in the forecast for the weekend, it’s not dampening the optimism of local businesses.

“We’ve made some plan B’s,” Englund said. “We’ve been watching the forecast all week and so we will be installing some tents around the pool to make sure our New Year’s Eve gets as dry as possible under the tents if it is raining at that time.”