Opinion Articles

Transforming Coachella Valley: Setting the Stage for Success

In 2022, the Coachella Valley experienced a resurgence in tourism, with visitor numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels and spending reaching new heights. The direct visitor spending of $7.1 billion had a total economic ripple effect of $8.7 billion, showcasing the area's growing appeal. A significant chunk of this spending, more than 30%, was dedicated to lodging, including hotels and short-term rentals. Tourism is expected to remain robust throughout 2023, with major events like the Power Trip music festival in October 2023 poised to attract visitors from across the region.

Central Oregon: Evolution of Trends Post-Pandemic

Central Oregon is a drive-to destination market situated east of the Cascade Mountain range. Home to twelve cities, this region of Oregon benefits as a popular leisure destination for travelers from throughout the Pacific Northwest. Surrounded by a diverse natural landscape, Central Oregon welcomes nearly four million overnight visitors per year looking to take advantage of all the area has to offer. In recent years, cities throughout the region have seen significant changes in the travel industry as hotels, businesses, and attractions have weathered the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tourism in Switzerland: A successful summer 2023 for the Industry

The latest figures released by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) have put even more spring in Swiss tourism’s step. Night stays in Switzerland for the months of June and July 2023 were recently published. And the news is good! Night stays (or hotel stays) were 8.6% higher in June 2023 versus June 2023. This confirms an earlier report indicating that in the first half of 2023, night stays increased 13.8% year on year.

Conroe, Texas: North Houston’s Emerging “Leading Lady”

Conroe provides small-town living while located only 40 miles north of Houston, the fourth-largest city in the country. This quaint city is currently having a resurgence and is considered one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas. Conroe has a reported population of 103,035 as of August 31, 2023, a 36% increase from 2013, and it is only projected to grow. The town has ample land for new development, and the recent improvements are heavily influenced by the city development model of The Woodlands just ten miles south.With this location near The Woodlands and so much available land, Conroe is starting to experience spillover from that city and become popular as a "bedroom community," resulting in additional residential development. One such project in the city is the highly anticipated Grand Central Park, a 2,046-acre residential community development along Interstate 45 and South Loop 336, just five miles north of The Woodlands.

The Rebounding San Diego Lodging Market Attracts Investor Interest

In 2022 and the first half of 2023, San Diego hotels experienced unprecedented RevPAR growth, similar to much of California, as markets recovered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, hotel development and transactions have been strong. However, construction of full-service hotels remains challenging amid a steep rise in development costs.

The Best Seat in the House is a Cheap Seat

Why do some stadiums attract more tourists and economic impact than others? It does not have to do with the quality of a city’s music scene or attractiveness, but the availability and cost of tickets. Tickets to venues in densely populated areas with higher incomes are harder to get, so instead people travel to venues with tickets that are available, and cheaper.