NJCAA Softball World Series brings in tourism for Yuma
Eduardo Morales
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Softball World Series is attracting hundreds of people the local area.
This gives the local community an opportunity to sell itself and show the country what Yuma has to offer.
According to Visit Yuma, around 800 people are in Yuma because of the tournament.
With 20 of the nation’s top junior college softball teams in town, their fans and family are also spending money in Yuma.
“Those people are staying in our hotels. They’re eating at our restaurants, they’re going to our shops, they’re experiencing our community, and so it is a huge economic opportunity. It’s also a huge opportunity for our community to truly showcase who we are,” said Marcus Carney, the Executive Director of Visit Yuma.
Gabriela Sosa, a catcher for one of the teams competing, says she is enjoying what Yuma has to offer.
“We’ve enjoyed it quite a lot. I mean like I said, coming from somewhere where southern hospitality is a thing, here is absolutely no different. Everyone’s been super accommodating like Coach Shelton said,” Sosa says.
Burgers and Beers restaurant is also seeing an increase of clients becuase of the tournament.
“There’s been a lot of movement this tournament helps Yuma Valley a lot, and we’ve seen a lot of rush in here. We’ve been packed these days and other than having Mother’s Day the other weekend, this tournament has been really great for us and for the community,” Jaime Honold, Burgers and Beer CFO.
Meanwhile, La Quinta Hotel shares how it’s also benefiting from the tournament. With around 45 rooms reserved for players and coaches, not including family and friends, it is safe to say business is booming.
“Being a hotel, that’s what we call it heads in beds, right? We need heads in beds and so something like this allows us to do that…Any tournament that we’ve had we’ve been at like 90% occupancy up to sold out,” said Crystal Rinaldis, General Manager at La Quinta Hotel General Manager.
The championship game is scheduled for this Saturday, meaning tourists will have more time to take in all that Yuma has to offer.