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Graceland Attendance Drops In 2010

July 14, 2011 | Other

The Memphis home of the King of Rock 'n' Roll saw a 4 percent drop in attendance from 2009 to 2010. Attendance figures for Graceland released earlier this year in the 2010 annual report of the parent company of Elvis Presley Enterprises show more than 540,000 people visited Graceland in 2009. That dropped to about 519,000 people in 2010.

The annual report does have some interesting things to say about business opportunities at Graceland - "The Graceland attraction was opened to the public in the 1980s and lacks many of the amenities and points-of-sale that one would expect from a tourist destination that garners over 500,000 visitors per annum. We see an opportunity to renovate the Graceland visitor experience as well as the adjacent Heartbreak Hotel to attract attendees and generate incremental per capita spending on merchandise and food & beverage." 

Source:Elvis Information Network
Spankox wrote on July 14, 2011
Attendance dropped because Spankox wasn't there in 2010... ;) Sorry, I was busy to produce the new "Elvis Presley Re:Volution" remix album. Cheers! Ago TCB
ElvisCriticsSuck wrote on July 14, 2011
Unfortunately when Elvis is just treated as a Business Product, we're stuck reading these Financial Reports. 80% of these people don't give a Rat's Bum about Elvis, Graceland, or his fans, just your "Money Honey"!
GEORGE (GK) wrote on July 14, 2011
Every is doing less business.. Its definately the Economy of the world. Rising Gas Prices only add to the wounds of any kind of a recovery.
1 BILLION SOLD wrote on July 14, 2011
Well, Im doin my part and bringin a van load of friends to Graceland this year!! This is only my 23rd visit there, just couldnt quite make it EVERY year since he died, but my first trip was in '79, I was 14, (3 yrs. BEFORE it was open to public), and have brought many, many people with me over the years. So I'll see y'all there! ;)
Polk Salad Robert wrote on July 15, 2011
Attendance just dropped compared to last years numbers. But its still alot more people anyone expected when they opened Graceland for the public I guess !!! "SPANCOX", when is your new Elvis Remix album gonna be out ? Its good news (for me at least) I like your releases ,execpt the Christmas Remixes which where just terrible !
Jerome wrote on July 15, 2011
But so did attendance at karaoke bars..
MikeE wrote on July 15, 2011
I like Spankox Xmas, especially 'I Believe' which I think is better than the original. Any chance of doing an album of film songs. There are a lot of underated film songs that could be give a new twist.
Polk Salad Robert wrote on July 15, 2011
Okay MikeE, "I Believe" is an exception,but the rest...and Spankox doing filmsongs is a great idea I agree. Heartbreaker you are right , this would definately increase the number of visitors, but they wont do it anyway I m sure.
al shookup wrote on July 15, 2011
Sound comments from Heartbraker ....would make good business sense.
Deano1 wrote on July 15, 2011
With the dire economy, I find it amazing that attendance only dropped 4%. People in the U.S. are losing their jobs and homes rapidly and I wouldn't be surprised to see most tourists attractions report losses of at least 4%. I do know that Disneyland has reported a 4% decline and Disney World has reported a 2% decline.
drjohncarpenter0117 wrote on July 15, 2011
EPE and Disney both Mickey Mouse operations.
Tony C wrote on July 16, 2011
I think just a four percent drop is a fantastic achievement for EPE when one considers the economic state of the world. Most tourist attractions have suffered much greater drops in attendance than this.
Steve V wrote on July 17, 2011
Wow only 23 times huh? Ive seen it 3 times, thats enough. How many times can u look at the wall of gold? Until Memphis improves (one if the highest crime citites in the USA) or until they drastically change the tour, I have much better places to go to.
benny scott wrote on July 17, 2011
Sorry Steve, but with all due respect : what's wrong with visiting a certain place many, many times ? Maybe true and real emotions are involved . Can't count how many times in the past I stood in front of my parent's resting place. Emotions, you see. Always El.
Steve V wrote on July 18, 2011
Sorry Benny, I cant see how you can equate visiting the grave sites of parents or family & dear friends with that of Elvis. Especially since with Elvis , it probably involves a vacation & a lot of travel expense. Dont know if you have been there , but once (maybe twice) is certainly more than adequate even for a big fan. I just find 23 times a bit abnormal even for a super fan. Most people will find it odd. In Memphis there is not a whole lot to do once you visit the mansion, Sun , and maybe ride on a steamboat and eat a bunch of BBQ. Well I guess that is why fan is short for fanatic.
dgirl wrote on July 18, 2011
I know people that havent visited their own parents graves 23 times! Within the same state! I'm just saying.
salparadiseI wrote on July 27, 2011
His fan base is certainly getting older, and passing on as well. Keep in mind that his movies, records, etc all, even according to Parker, had a rock level of support from fans. And, that Elvis had reached his high water mark shortly after his Army service. As noted here, how many times can you go to Graceland? EPE, of course, is worried. I've heard from sources there that the numbers are much less than released as they counted all sorts of visits (such as free, etc) (broken down in their revenues in tax reports). So, it only figures they're trying to turn Graceland even more into a real tourist trap like amusement parks where people come each year to try out the newest ride, etc. I don't know about you but I think anything beyond just the house, and a few exhibits detailing his life, some of his collections, and the likes, and maybe a gift shop, is more than enough. Anything else is explotation clear and simple, and, from this news, appears to have run its course. Let's hope, someday, the place will revert to what it should be, a respectful memorial to EP and not a place Colonel Parker would feel right at home runnin.