text size

Central Texas Hotels Already Gearing Up For 2013 Formula One Race

Updated: Monday, November 19 2012, 07:58 PM CST

It isn't just hotels in Austin that saw a major boost in revenue this weekend for Formula One, Round Rock and other surrounding cities also sold out this weekend. All 68 rooms at the Best Western Executive Inn in Round Rock sold out during the F1 race.

Karen Mochizuki traveled from Hawaii and has been following F1 since 1979. She and her husband started making travel plans in January.  “You have to plan at least a year ahead or so. You know you have to, or else you’ll have to spend a huge amount of money last minute,” she says.

Joseph Yousefy who owns the Best Western in Round Rock says rooms went so fast in the area he and other hotel owners raised prices. Hotel rooms typically run between $80 and $110 dollars at his hotel but at one point those same rooms were being booked for $499 a night for F1 weekend with a four or five night minimum stay.

Yousefy says, “It’s because of that we lost business to San Antonio, because they weren’t offering as much restrictions.” He says he and other hoteliers in Round Rock learned a lesson from that and eventually lowered their prices and lifted restrictions.

He’s says people are already booking their stay for next year.

By Lydia PantazesCentral Texas Hotels Already Gearing Up For 2013 Formula One Race