Columbus Zoo considers hotel

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is considering adding an onsite hotel or resort due to a boost in attendance. Big draws such as baby elephant Beco and waterpark Zoombezi Bay attracted more than 1.9 million visitors in 2008 and turned the zoo into a two-day attraction.

Zoo officials drafted Hotel & Leisure Advisors of Cleveland to conduct a study that will help the zoo decide whether to pursue the project in May. The study will recommend the number of rooms the proposed treetop lodge should offer, as well as whether a restaurant or meeting space should be included.

The zoo’s attendance data is an important piece of the hotel study, along with analysis of the performance and occupancy of existing hotels in the northern Columbus market.