Last year, 350,000 tourists visited Manassas and spent over $71 million within the city limits. With Tru by Hilton breaking ground at the Landing at Cannon Branch, the largest mixed-use development in Manassas history, the idea of staying in Manassas will become even more attractive and accessible for travelers looking for a great place to stay around a thriving city.
A Tru gamechanger
Manassas Mayor Hal Parrish was not mincing words when he stated that “Tru by Hilton changes the game” for business travel and tourism in Manassas.
Considering the strategic location of Holladay Properties’ $13.9 million investment, it is easy to see why. With the hotel’s close proximity to many of the fastest-growing companies in Manassas, business travelers and prospective employees for companies such as Micron, Lockheed Martin, the Novant Health-UVA Prince William Health Center, BAE Systems, and Aurora Flight Sciences will have an incredibly convenient place to stay. Tourists will also find Tru by Hilton incredibly convenient as they visit to take in one of the many events and festivals put on by the City of Manassas, explore the local historical sites, or shop in historic Downtown.
Why Tru by Hilton in Manassas makes sense
It’s easy to understand why the midscale hotel chain and Manassas are a good match by glancing at some of the offerings at Tru by Hilton. Featuring semi-private work nooks, a 24/7 market with local gourmet snacks and drinks, and even a game area complete with tables and board games, Tru by Hilton appeals to the very same educated, tech-savvy millennials that are already flocking to Manassas to land their dream job.
As the hotel is only the seventh such project that gained approval and backing by the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s (VTC) Tourism Development Financing Program (TDFP), it is clear that the Commonwealth recognizes how beneficial the project will be for the tourism economy in Manassas and Northern Virginia. The presence of a new, quality hotel that mirrors the aspirations of the city is going to have a demonstrably positive impact on both the local and regional economy.
Tru comes as an answer to a scarcity of lodging within the city and certain nearby corridors. Offering modern accommodations with a sophisticated touch, the hotel will cater to the “millennial traveler” interested in solutions for both business and leisure travel.
A premier travel destination
Governor Northam noted at the groundbreaking that the hotel project is “a welcome addition to our Commonwealth’s ever-growing tourism economy” and that “tourism development is critical to positioning Virginia as a premier travel destination.” While the local tax benefit after the hotel’s first full year of operation is projected at $370,000, the larger picture for the Manassas tourism economy is even more captivating.
Adding a strategically located and demographically appropriate hotel to Manassas is going to incentivize not only tourists and business travelers to stay longer and spend more in Manassas, but will also bring new businesses into the local economy to contend with the uptick in tourism. Given the real possibility of the Tru by Hilton project spurring future growth for the area, the City of Manassas has every reason to be delighted by the hotels arrival as well as the future of its tourism economy.