Tourism in Texas is big business

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GONZALES — As we approach Tourism Week, the Gonzales Convention and Visitors Bureau will recognize and celebrate the positive impact this industry has in our community. To recognize Texas’ robust travel industry and its important contributions to the state and local economies, Governor Greg Abbott has designated May 1­7 as Texas Travel and Tourism Week. With the governor, we recognize the significant economic return tourism adds to our state and communities.

Here at home, Mayor Bobby Logan and the Council proclaimed Tourism week in Gonzales for May 1-7.

They recognize the importance of bringing new money to town for the benefit of the community.

They recognize that tourism is everybody’s business.

Locally, the positive economic impact of tourism continues to grow. Back in the 70s the legislature levied a tax on overnight visitors around Texas who stay in a motel or hotel bed. Who would know that tax would grow into billions of dollars? That tax, new money for the community, is set aside solely for the purpose of improving and promoting the towns in Texas. Building tourism as an economic force improves important public property and develops more visitor traffic. It supports events and activities that will attract the traveling public to town who have money in their pockets.

The hospitality industry creates jobs and a better quality of life for many. In Gonzales, the hospitality industry directly supports over 400 jobs.

The dollars collected from the local lodging facilities represent a great number of diverse visitors to our community.

Visitors come to get away from the big city pace. They come for the history of this place. They come to the rodeo. They come to experience the pioneer days. They come to play golf. They come to research their ancestors and to enjoy wide open space. They shop in

our stores. They improve the sales tax income and help keep our property taxes lower!

Out-of-town guests are fascinated by our historic homes. They wonder how they have missed this place before. Visitors leave with an appreciation of the beginnings of Texas and the significance of that small cannon in our museum.

This year we will utilize some of the funds to assist in the restoration of the early Texas homes at Pioneer Village. Funds will go to the JB Wells house museum restoration. The funds will provide much improved way­finding signage around Gonzales while also going to Main Street to help improve our Christmas decorations and support the Summer Concert Series. An additional $25,000 has been allocated as seed money to raise support for the restoration of the Gonzales Memorial Museum. Some of the funds will go to the Chamber of Commerce/Visitor’s Center in the Old Jail Museum.

We will continue to print and distribute brochures. We will continue to advertise on billboards and in magazines and newspapers, on television and radio, and through social media. We will invite targeted travel groups to Gonzales for overnight stays. Texas Monthly, Texas Highways, Texas Co-­op and Southern Living – all carry our message. Victoria, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston area newspapers – do the same with Gonzales’ new high tech innovative marketing. A new and improved website is soon to be unveiled. It adds an exciting dimension to our marketing and will give state and national travelers access to all of the remarkable “need to see” treasures of Gonzales.

We should celebrate our accomplishments throughout the year, but especially during this week of travel and tourism recognition. Give a shout out to all of the visitors who come to town, and to all of the lodging facilities who have a comfortable bed for them. Give a great thank you to all of the restaurants who feed them, and to all of the staff and volunteers who greet them. Give applause to all who are preserving the landmarks of Gonzales for visitors to enjoy. Offer thanks to the businesses all around town who offer a friendly greeting. Thanks so much!

All of this is tourism. All of us are a part of it. This is an economic investment in a better community — our community!

Ann Covert owns the St. James Inn and in the past 22 years has welcomed visitors from all over the world who have come to visit and spend the night. She is a member of the GCVB.

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