New Year's Eve Expected To Draw Business In Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- We're just days away from the biggest New Year's Eve bash in Baltimore. Tens of thousands will ring in the new year at the Inner Harbor and local businesses are ready to cash in.
Rick Ritter has more on what the city expects.
Officials say it's been an extremely strong year for downtown Baltimore in terms of tourism and the New Years Eve Spectacular will cap it, bringing in millions of dollars.
It's the biggest celebration in the region. Year after year, Baltimore puts on a show. Closing out 2014 with the New Year's Eve Spectacular at the Inner Harbor won't be any different.
"You've got to go to D.C. to find anything comparable," Mike Evitts with Downtown Parternship Baltimore said.
In 2009, studies show the event drew over 40-thousand people with an economic impact of $7 million. Huge numbers expected to add to what's already been a busy year with the Star Spangled Spectacular and the classic Army Navy game at M&T Bank Stadium.
"After having the Sailabration, the Army-Navy, this is just sort of the third leg for a wonderful celebration," Gene Michael Addis with Lord Baltimore Hotel said.
For the Hyatt Hotel, it's their first look at how Baltimore does New Year's Eve.
"The hotel, being the newest player in town, we do expect it to be sold out," general manager of the Hyatt, John Parker said.
Others have prepared for months.
"We're going to do early arrivals and we know what New Year's Eve is like so we're going to do a very late checkout," Addis said.
Officials say it's not just the number of people at the Inner Harbor, but all the economic activity that goes on around their New Year's Eve visit that really helps the economy.
"People pay to park," Evitts said. "They come downtown for dinner, they buy clothing at retailers, they rent hotel rooms, really the multipliers for New Year's Eve are quite large."
Many anticipating a show that won't disappoint the crowd or business.
"Everyone needs to celebrate Baltimore," Addis said.
"For downtown, this year it's capping off an amazing year for tourism," Evitts said.
The celebration kicks off New Year's Eve at 9:00 p.m. and goes to 12:30 p.m.
Anyone staying home, can watch the celebration on WJZ. Coverage starts at 11:30 p.m.
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