Austin second in state for tourism growth (includes Texas list)

KevinFromTexas · #1 Posted **Jun 8, 2011, 10:36 PM**

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/ne...r-tourism.html

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Austin second in state for tourism growth

Austin Business Journal - by Dallas Business Journal, Austin Business Journal, Dallas Business Journal, Austin Business Journal

Date: Wednesday, June 8, 2011, 12:03pm CDT - Last Modified: Wednesday, June 8, 2011, 12:45pm CDT

Tourism employment in Texas is alive and well, if numbers compiled by G. Scott Thomas of American City Business Journals are any indication.

Austin was second in Texas for percent growth compared with the largest metros. The city reported 5,100 more jobs than three years ago, or about 14.3 percent growth. San Antonio was first with about 15.3 percent growth, or about 5,000 more positions. Followed in order by El Paso (13.5 percent growth), Dallas-Fort Worth (11.4 percent growth) and Houston (11 percent growth).

Ranked by actual number of jobs created — instead of percent growth — Austin came in sixth nationally. New York City was ranked first with 19,400 more leisure and hospitality jobs, followed in order by Boston (up 9,700 jobs), Houston (up 7,000), New Orleans (up 6,700) and Orlando, Fla. (up 5,900).

urbanactivist · #2 Posted **Jul 5, 2011, 7:00 PM**

Wow go Austin!! Great to see our cities and state focusing more on Tourism!!

I can definitely tell the difference. Houston has finally started to care about how other cities view it as a tourist destination (and otherwise). Since the election of Mayor Annise Parker, Houston has a place in the gay tourism market... a segment of industry that is strong and has lots of buying power. I saw more evidence of this firsthand during our Pride festivities.

Do you have any idea what segments of tourism Austin has grown in? Any target areas?

Jdawgboy · #3 Posted **Jul 13, 2011, 8:49 PM**

Overall growth I believe is the driving force behind our increase in tourism. Coupled with constant good publicity for the city on a national and now international level, and growth of our large events and Festivals.

I also saw a news segment a few months back talking about how popular Austin is for people wanting to get married. A lot of couples are traveling around the country just to have their wedding here and many wedding planners in the Austin area are benefiting from the increased business. Austin is photogenic and these people want to have their weddings in the hills over the lake or with the city skyline in the background of their wedding pictures.

LoneStarMike · #4 Posted **Sep 1, 2011, 4:52 PM**

Speaking of tourism, there was an article back on May 20, 2011 in the Austin American Statesman about Austin & San Marcos making pitches to lure more international visitors.

Austin, San Marcos make pitches to lure more international tourists
By Helen Anders

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A 2006 study, the most recent, concluded that 6 percent of Austin's 17 million yearly visitors are from outside the United States. Updated figures are expected this summer, and they're certain to show an increase because of the growth of South by Southwest.

Apparently this other study has more to do with the actual number of visitors, rather than the increase of tourism-related jobs. Does anyone know about this second study? Who does this other study and have the results been released?