‘Day-By-Day, This Is Evolving’ Indianapolis Tourism Officials Address Coronavirus

Fewer people are traveling due to restrictions and concerns over the spread of the coronavirus. Tourism officials in the state say they’re watching the situation closely.

Indianapolis hosts hundreds of conventions each year including the Future Farmers of America National Convention and Gen Con – the international tabletop game expo.

Indianapolis is also set to host the men’s basketball Big Ten tournament this week along with the “Sweet Sixteen” and “Elite Eight” later this month. According to the NCAA and the Big Ten conference, those will go on as usual.

READ MORE: What Do You Need To Know About Coronavirus? We’ve Got Answers.

Visit Indy’s Chris Gahl says tourism in the state is healthy, but the agency is preparing in case that changes.

“Day-by-day, this is evolving and changing,” says Gahl. “You have federal and state and the municipalities across the nation wrestling with this. And again, Indianapolis isn’t immune to how this impacts tourism.”

Around the country, other major events have been cancelled including SXSW, the Inspired Home Show, and Indian Wells tennis tournament.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story listed the International Home and Housewares Show among canceled events. That was incorrect. It is actually the Inspired Home Show.

Contact Samantha at shorton@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @SamHorton5.

This is a rapidly evolving story, and we are working hard to bring you the most up-to-date information. However, we recommend checking the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Indiana State Department of Health for the most recent numbers of COVID-19 cases.