New Study Will Determine McKenzie’s Hotel Feasibility

Does McKenzie need a new hotel?

That’s the question the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development plans to answer through a new hotel feasibility study, which was awarded to McKenzie’s Industrial Development Board (IDB) in March.

The study helps evaluate McKenzie’s potential for hotel development and provide insights that can support strategic tourism and economic development planning.
Monica Heath, IDB director, said this study is the first step McKenzie can take to attract investors for a new hotel. It can serve as a marketing tool for the IDB for up to five years.

In late March, Heath sent a survey to various businesses in McKenzie to see how often they use area hotels. Soon, a hotel feasibility expert will meet with Heath to tour local destinations and amenities. Information gained from the survey and the in-depth tour will contribute to McKenzie’s feasibility report.
The IDB owns 62 acres of property on Highway 22 across from McKenzie High School. Heath said the group hopes to sell 10-15 acres of that property for hotel use. The proposed hotel would stand adjacent to Shiloh Road.

McKenzie currently has two motels — Best Western and Relax Inn — but no hotels.

Bethel University brings many visitors to McKenzie. However, visiting sports teams are not allowed to stay overnight in motels where rooms are directly accessible from the outside.

Heath says most college teams stay overnight in Paris when they play against Bethel University — and McKenzie misses out on tourism revenue as a result.

Heath hopes to attract a well-known hotel chain, so visitors can receive reward points for their stays. She said this would make industries more likely to book rooms in McKenzie.

This isn’t to say McKenzie will see a new hotel on Highway 22 any time soon. It is a long process that has only just begun. Once the feasibility study is concluded, the IDB will begin searching the market for potential investors. Once the IDB lands on an investor, it will sell the property. Then, it could take two years or more to build the hotel.

For now, individuals are invited to participate in the following survey to help the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development determine McKenzie’s need for a hotel: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NewMcKenzieTNHotel