Steamboats plan to double visits to city in 2003

0 Comments | La Crosse Tribune, Jul 16, 2002 | by Cahalan, Steve

Clarissa Bates was surprised and excited when she learned Monday that the Delta Queen Steamboat Co.'s big boats will make 17 stops in La Crosse in 2003, up from eight scheduled for this year.

"I was pleasantly surprised to see them bounce back so quickly," said Bates, director of motor coach tours for the La Crosse Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. She received the steamboat company's 2003 schedule Monday.

It will be the largest number of La Crosse stops by the company's boats, at least in recent years, Bates said.

Last October, the Delta Queen Steamboat Co.'s steamboats canceled their two remaining 2001 stops in La Crosse after parent company American Classic Voyages Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection. The parent company cited a sharp drop in business after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

In May, Delaware North Cos. of Buffalo, N.Y., bought the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. in an auction. The latter's Mississippi Queen steamboat resumed cruises in May, the Delta Queen will resume cruises in August, and the American Queen will be back in service in January, said Lucette Brehm, Delta Queen Steamboat Co. spokeswoman.

This year, the Mississippi Queen and Delta Queen are scheduled to make eight visits to La Crosse from Sept. 13 to Oct. 15.

In 2003, all three boats will visit La Crosse, starting with the Mississippi Queen on July 12 and ending with the American Queen on Oct. 21.

"There's been a real favorable response to the buyout (by Delaware North Cos.) by group leaders and tour operators and their customers," Bates said. "I think (the 17 La Crosse stops scheduled in 2003) is a reflection of the industry's response" to the new ownership.

The steamboat visits bring visitors to La Crosse, Bates said. "People come in from Iowa and all over to see the boats," she said. "And usually they spend some time while they're here. Even if all they do is fill up their gas tank or buy a soda, that's still money going into the coffers" of local merchants.

Also, Bates said, "The (steamboat) passengers are from all over the United States and the world. This showcases our city. Most of the people on these boats have expendable income and have the means and knowledge to travel back" to La Crosse. Bates said she has heard many steamboat passengers say they enjoyed their visit and want to return to La Crosse.

Bates said she believes most passengers who get off the steamboat in La Crosse, buy something before they get back on. The motor coach bus tours they go on when the steamboats are in La Crosse generate money for the bus operator and the attractions on the tour, she said.