Mr. John Q. Hammons has announced his plans to develop a new, European-style hotel at the burgeoning 7,500-acre Branson Creek, Branson, Mo. area’s premier master planned community. Conveniently located off of U.S. Highway 65 at 1001 Branson Creek Blvd., adjacent to the Branson Creek Golf Course, the hotel site is slated for construction in fall 2008, with an opening expected in summer 2010.  The hotel name and brand will be identified at a later date.  The hotel is expected to excel within the thriving travel destination of Branson, renowned for its extensive live entertainment, theme parks, golf and fishing/camping outdoor recreation, which attracted approximately 8.4 million visitors in 2007 (Branson Chamber of Commerce and CVB).

The hotel will join Mr. Hammons’ 13 existing properties in Missouri as well as two previously announced for development in the state, including the luxurious, 12-story, 320-room/suite Chateau on Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach and another property in Springfield.  Among Mr. Hammons’ Ozark Region portfolio is his prized gem, the 301-room/suite Chateau on The Lake Resort, Spa & Conference Center on Table Rock Lake in Branson.

“I’ve been planning for the Branson Creek hotel opportunity for quite sometime.  I foresee impressive results with the new $155 million regional airport serving the United States with its additional routes, complemented by the amazing growth created by the completion of U.S. Highway 65,” said Mr. Hammons, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts.

In addition, to the appealing transportation options, the hotel in Branson Creek will be adjacent to two championship golf courses.  Amidst golf villas and luxury home sites, Branson Creek features the Tom Fazio designed Branson Creek Golf Course, ranked the number one public course in Missouri and 60th in the nation by Golf Digest.  Branson Creek also hosts a second 18-hole championship course, John Daly’s Murder Rock Golf and Country Club, which opened in 2007.  A third course is slated to be developed.

“We’ve experienced overwhelming public response to the Branson Creek resort lifestyle development, and the addition of a quality, upscale hotel will continue to elevate the Branson Creek offering and deliver on our full-service resort strategy,” said Bill Morrow, owner of Branson Creek Golf Course.

Branson Creek is also home to the new Branson Regional Airport, scheduled to open in May 2009.  Just eight miles south of the center of Branson, the airport will have a 7,140-foot runway capable of commercial aircraft traffic from almost anywhere in the United States. 

Jeff Bourk, airport executive director, Branson Airport, LLC, said, “With the opening of the airport next year, we’re estimating a revenue generation of $150 million to the area over the short term.  Having exceptional hotel accommodations, such as the kind Mr. Hammons’ is known for, rounds out our offering for travelers to the area and builds on the anticipated success of the airport.”

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