Tourism keeps on growing
Web Posted: 02/21/2008 02:15 AM CST
Melissa S. Monroe
Express-News Business Writer

San Antonio's hospitality industry grew a healthy 20 percent to $10.5 billion from 2004 to '06, making it one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in the city, according to a study released Wednesday.

www.visitsanantonio.com

Of the $10.5 billion, restaurants and catering made the largest contribution at 39.3 percent, followed by lodging at 27.8 percent, transportation and travel at 22.1 percent, and entertainment at 10.8 percent.

The numbers are strong because San Antonio is considered a fly-and-drive destination, making it easy for travelers to get to even in economic downturns, said Scott White, executive director of the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau.

"What a study like this does is lend credibility to the industry and its positive impact," White said. "It's a tool for the city, chamber and other groups to help with economic development."

The study is part of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce's tourism industry report and was sponsored by the visitors bureau, the San Antonio Area Tourism Council and the San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association.

Recently, the chamber unveiled other economic impact studies on manufacturing and health care, which are studied yearly.

Manufacturing had a $14.4 billion economic impact, which was a 19 percent increase from 2004. In 2006, health care showed a $15.3 billion impact, an increase of 11 percent from 2004.

The hospitality industry also contributed more than $125 million in taxes and fees to the city in 2006 — or 17.3 percent of San Antonio's 2005-06 budget — and more than $222 million to all local governments.

The largest share, or 46.7 percent, of the $125 million came from hotel taxes paid by visitors.

Another 21.4 percent is from sales taxes and 13.3 percent from property taxes.

"This is the fourth economic impact study to be conducted for the tourism industry," said Marco A. Barros, the Tourism Council's president and CEO. "It clearly shows the great health and the wealth tourism brings to city government and to the citizens of San Antonio."
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mmonroe@express-news.net