Traveling Indiana? Here’s a look at what’s new and improved
Need some incentives to travel in-state for your next getaway? Looking for something new? Here’s a rundown of some of what’s been added — or improved — on Indiana’s destinations menu.
Tourism & Hospitality
Articles
Art museum cutting more than 20 employees
The museum said 19 full-time employees and two part-time employees will complete their employment Monday. Eight additional vacant positions will not be filled.
Indianapolis Air Show called off; organizers cite sequestration
The air show was set for June 15-16 at Indianapolis Regional Airport near Mount Comfort east of Indianapolis. It has taken place annually since 1996.
Centaur completes purchase of Indiana Grand
The owner of the Hoosier Park racino in Anderson says it has officially purchased the bankrupt Indiana Grand and Downs in Shelbyville for $500 million.
State hotels see rise in annual occupancy rate
Indiana’s hotels hosted more visitors last year, according to a survey by Hendersonville-based Smith Travel Research.
City reports rise in parking meter profit, revenue
Indianapolis estimates it earned about $1 million more from parking meters in 2012, with meter revenue almost doubling from the previous year, the Department of Public Works announced Thursday.
Speedway businesses eye gains from IMS upgrade
Nearby businesses hope upgrades to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from a proposed state taxing district would pave the way for additional offerings at the venue, including night racing.
Senators look to sunset city’s ticket, excise tax hikes
Legislator says the recent tax increases aren’t being used for the purpose intended when such increases were authorized in 2009.
QUICK HITS: More people visit Philly than Indy despite similar tourism budgets
Philadelphia offers strong historical draws and a plethora of downtown restaurants.
SCOTT: Local restaurant trends to keep eye on in 2013
Locovore, food trucks and snackification among other trends are gaining momentum in the Indianapolis area.
Hotel, restaurant merger part of larger shakeup
With the consolidation of the Indiana Hotel & Lodging Association and the Indiana Restaurant Association are complete, longtime association leader John Livengood will stepping down
Is Indianapolis becoming too expensive for conventions?
A recent tax increase coupled with cut-rate competition from other cities has Indianapolis-area convention and meeting officials fretting about losing a longtime cost advantage.
Big Easy Super Bowl attraction crowds fall short of Indy’s
Attendance this year for the Super Bowl-related NFL Experience and downtown village in New Orleans fell far short of what was achieved in Indianapolis last year.
Council OKs tax hikes on tickets, car rentals
The Indianapolis City-County Council on Monday night approved tax hikes to admissions to downtown events and on rental cars.
Mahern wants council members to disclose free game tix
The Indianapolis City-County Council is poised to approve a huge increase in ticket taxes on professional sports, and one council member wants to make sure those voting on the hike disclose the freebies they get for Pacers and Colts games.
Kentucky fair board, group reach amusement park deal
A group of private investors and the Kentucky State Fair board on Thursday reached a 50-year lease agreement for the shuttered Kentucky Kingdom amusement park with the new operators saying the facility should reopen in 2014.
Bill aimed at boosting Indiana casinos advances
The Senate Public Policy Committee voted 9-0 in support of a bill that would overhaul the state's casino taxes, along with allowing Indiana's 10 riverboat casinos to move inland to adjacent property and permit live table games at the two horse track casinos.
Indiana Beach owes $347,000 in taxes, county says
Indiana Beach Amusement Resort on Lake Shafer neglected to pay an estimated $180,000 in innkeeper’s taxes and about $167,000 in 2011 property taxes, according to White County officials.
Zoo group introduces smaller counterpart to Zoobilation
The Indianapolis Zoo Associate Council—a recently formed collection of about 50 “young professionals” who support the Indianapolis Zoo—is hosting the inaugural Zoolala formal affair on Feb. 2.
Colts trying to tackle proposed ticket-tax hike
The Indianapolis Colts are playing defense as city leaders move to hike a ticket tax on downtown events by 67 percent. The team says raising the tax on tickets from 6 percent to 10 percent will harm its bottom line and that of local businesses that rely on Colts fans.