HISTORIC SEAWALL BEACH NOURISHMENT PROJECT BEACH DEDICATION MAY 18, 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Transcription

1 HISTORIC SEAWALL BEACH NOURISHMENT PROJECT BEACH DEDICATION MAY 18, ANNUAL REPORT

2 TOURISM DEVELOPMENT The Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is the official destination marketing organization of Galveston Island. The bureau works to generate tourism within the leisure, group travel and meetings and conventions markets. The CVB, along with its business partners, work to further the success of the Galveston community as a premier tourist and meeting destination while maintaining the quality of life for island residents. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, THE CVB BOOKED 79,760 GROUP ROOM NIGHTS WITH AN ECONOMIC IMPACT OF $53,541,742 (28% INCREASE YOY) GALVESTON LED THE STATE IN HOTEL AVERAGE DAILY RATE (ADR) AGAINST ITS COMPETITIVE SET WITH A $ ADR. HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX INCREASED 10% FROM 1,675,659 PER PENNY IN TO $1,839,089 IN THE CVB S PUBLIC RELATIONS TEAM INCREASED COVERAGE OVER LAST YEAR BY 63% GENERATING $377 MILLION IN POSITIVE MEDIA COVERAGE, INCLUDING FEATURE STORIES IN THE NEW YORK TIMES, SOUTHERN LIVING, COASTAL LIVING, TRAVEL & LEISURE, MEETINGS FOCUS, TEXAS HIGHWAYS AND MORE. 53% ADR FROM SMITH TRAVEL RESEARCH WEEKLY HOTEL REPORTS SUMMER 2017 HOTEL ADR 63% THE CVB INCREASED ITS SOCIAL MEDIA AUDIENCE BY 53% OVER LAST YEAR (FACEBOOK 55%, INSTAGRAM 60%, TWITTER 26%, SNAPCHAT 51%, PINTEREST 18% AND LINKEDIN 13%) HOTEL OCCUPANCY INCREASED BY 4.2% TO 64.7% IN COMPARED TO

3 2016 TOURISM ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS Tourism continued to grow in 2016, generating $158 million in taxes including $76.6 million in state and local taxes. While tourism generated a significant amount of hotel occupancy tax revenue that is restricted, it also contributed $26.6 million in local sales and property tax revenue accounting for 51.2% of the City of Galveston s general fund. JOB GROWTH In 2016, tourism sustained a total of 11,013 jobs in Galveston, representing one in every three jobs on the island. Since the 2009 recession, job growth in the industry amounts to 19.1% compared to 10.3% for total employment in Galveston. IN 2016 GALVESTON WELCOMED 6.5 MILLION VISITORS TRANS OVERNIGHT VISITOR SPENDING BY CATEGORY AVG PER PERSON PER DAY= $114 LODGING 33.6% 6.4% REC 17.1% RETAIL FOOD 18.4% 24.5% CRUISE PASSENGER VOLUME INCREASED 4.7% IN 2016 AND CRUISE PASSENGER ONSHORE SPENDING GENERATED $58.4 MILLION COMPARED TO $56 MILLION IN ONSHORE SPENDING $58.4 MILLION TRANS 12.8% REC 28.3% GALVESTON HOUSEHOLDS SAVED $3,771 IN TAXES EACH YEAR THANKS TO VISITOR SPENDING. DAY VISITOR SPENDING BY CATEGORY AVG PER PERSON PER DAY= $ % FOOD 30.1% RETAIL

4 Dear Neighbors, Colleagues and Friends, Undoubtedly, 2017 will be one for the books in the state history annals. Hurricane Harvey dropped record-breaking levels of rain in the Houston metropolitan area, the state legislature deliberated on regulating the use of public bathrooms and the Astros won the World Series! It has also been a noteworthy year for Galveston Island tourism. New rubber-wheeled trolleys offer scenic routes between downtown and Moody Gardens, 61st street beautification welcomes motorists onto the island and the seawall boasts the largest beach nourishment project ever undertaken in the State of Texas! And these investments are providing a return. The Park Board will close the fiscal year 10% above hotel occupancy tax (HOT) collections from the previous fiscal year, registering once again a record-breaking tourism year. HOT generated $20.2 million dollars for Galveston Island this past fiscal year. These revenues supported tourism marketing efforts, beach safety and maintenance, trolley operations, the arts community and the development of the East End Lagoon Nature Preserve among other important community investments. A strong shoulder season and robust year-round event attendance helped the island realize this significant year upon year increase. The greatest single percentage increase in collections was seen in the winter months (Nov., Dec. and Jan.), where HOT collections increased a full 20%. The Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) sales team increased contract bookings by 28% this year, including 11,000 rooms that are directly attributable to sports tourism efforts initiated this past year. Both of these results materialized from strategic actions developed by the Park Board to leverage the tourism economy by diversifying the product portfolio and driving yearround visitation. Goals for the upcoming year focus on developing strategies to engage visitors in the destination. Given Galveston s already privileged position as a historic point of reference for the State of Texas, our objective over the next few years is to establish Galveston in the minds of visitors as a Gulf Coast treasure. We believe Galveston can outshine many of our Gulf Coast competitors by showcasing historic, cultural, environmental and entertainment assets in our community. The strategies identified by the CVB s Tourism Development Advisory Committee are to not only attract visitors to the island, but to enchant, captivate and engage them. We are defining this engaged traveler as a visitor who will spend more time in the destination, visit outside of peak season and frequent multiple venues during their stay. In other words, they will fall in love with Galveston and all it has to offer. We trust that you will join us on this path of universally establishing Galveston as the treasure we all know it is. Sincerely, Joyce Calver McLean CHAIR Kelly de Schaun EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES JOYCE CALVER MCLEAN, CHAIR JOHN ZENDT, VICE CHAIR SPENCER PRIEST, SECRETARY/TREASURER DR. CRAIG BROWN, CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE STEVEN CREITZ MAUREEN PATTON ROCKY SULLIVAN DR. VICTOR VISER

5 BEACH NOURISHMENT In 2017, the Park Board, City of Galveston and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) completed the single largest beach nourishment project on the Texas coast. The Historic Seawall beach restoration project placed 1.2 million cubic yards of sand along the seawall between 12th and 61st streets, widening nearly four miles of existing beaches. The nourishment project is the third such project the Park Board has completed in the last two years. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Texas General Land Office (GLO) and Galveston s Industrial Development Corporation funded the $19.5 million project. THE PARK BOARD RECEIVED $850,000 IN FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING TO RESEARCH NEW SOURCES OF SAND, INNOVATIVE SAND HARVESTING TECHNOLOGY, AND THE USE OF STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE BEACH EROSION. TO CONTINUE THESE EFFORTS, THE PARK BOARD HAS SUBMITTED GRANTS TOTALING $3.2 MILLION THROUGH THE GLO. FOR EVERY $1 SPENT LOCALLY, STATE AND FEDERAL SOURCES CONTRIBUTED A $23 MATCH (BEACH NOURISHMENT FUNDING) $1 $23! IN 2017, GALVESTON S SAND MANAGEMENT PLAN WAS THE WINNER OF A HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL PARKS AND NATURAL AREAS AWARD IN THE POLICY TOOLS CATEGORY. THE PLAN, CREATED IN 2015 AND UPDATED ON A REGULAR BASIS, CONTINUES TO GUIDE THE ISLAND S COASTAL MAN- AGEMENT PROGRAM AND SERVES AS A REFERENCE FOR OTHER GULF COAST BEACH COMMUNITIES.

6 BEACH PATROL During peak tourism season, more than 125 lifeguards patrolled 32 miles of Galveston s beaches. The Galveston Island Beach Patrol (GIBP) is a state-certified, first-responder agency with an advanced lifeguard certification from the United States Lifeguard Association (USLA). Ever present along the coast in their iconic yellow vehicles, the men and women of this organization play an important role in rescue and preventative actions for the more than five million annual visitors to the beach. GIBP INCREASED ITS FACEBOOK FOLLOWING BY 26% WAVE WATCHERS, A COM- MUNITY-BASED EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT SERVES AS A FORCE MULTIPLIER FOR THE GIBP, WAS PUT IN PLACE. WAVE WATCHER VOLUNTEERS COMPLETED MORE THAN 600 HOURS OF SERVICE DURING ITS INAUGURAL SEASON. THE GIBP AND ITS JUNIOR GUARD TEAM PARTICIPATED IN THE USLA NATIONAL COMPETITION IN DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA. GIBP LIFE- GUARDS EARNED 15 TOP-10 FINISHES AND WON 10 MEDALS. THE JUNIOR GUARDS EARNED 15 TOP-12 FINISHES AT THE EVENT. 127 LIFEGUARDS PERFORMED GIBP ASSISTED WITH RESCUES ON THE MAINLAND WITH DURING HURRICANE HARVEY ITS URBAN FLOODING/ MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLE RESCUES DURING THE STORM GIBP GAVE WATER SAFETY PRESENTATIONS TO 25,900 HOUSTON/GALVESTON AREA STUDENTS, UP FROM 20,171 LAST YEAR , , ,480 2,842 1,702 PREVENTATIVE ACTIONS MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

7 COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT Unsung heroes of the Park Board, the Coastal Zone Management team is up before dawn working to keep Galveston s beaches clean and pristine. Stewards of the coastal environment, they are the front line responsible for litter control, seaweed and debris removal along the shoreline. This year, the team, with the help of the local non-profit, Artist Boat, expanded efforts that emphasized environmental education, recycling and beach beautification. AS PART OF ITS NO TRASH LEFT BEHIND CAMPAIGN, THE PARK BOARD AND THE MARINE DEBRIS TASK FORCE PLACED AN ADDITIONAL SIX RECYCLING STATIONS ALONG THE SEAWALL. LOCAL PHILANTHROPIC AGENCY, THE HARRIS AND ELIZA KEMPNER FUND, PROVIDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THIS INITIATIVE. 2.2 MILLION POUNDS OF LITTER AND DEBRIS WERE COLLECTED COMPARED TO 1.5 MILLION POUNDS LAST YEAR, A 46.6% INCREASE INCLUDING AN ESTIMATED The Park Board and Artist Boat added 100 painted barrels to the beachfront through the community supported Beautify the Bucket program. PARK BOARD QUALIFIES FOR 5 YEAR U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FEDERAL BEACH MAINTENANCE PERMIT. 900,000 POUNDS OF DEBRIS FROM HURRICANE HARVEY

8 BEACH PARKS The Park Board manages six island parks that offer a variety of amenities and activities: Seawolf Park, Stewart Beach, East Beach, Dellanera Park and Pocket Parks 1 and 2. Parking revenues generated here go toward maintaining and improving parks and beach nourishment projects. NEW A T ADDED EVENT PROGRAMMING TO STEWART AND EAST BEACH INCLUDING FAMILY CHALLENGE OBSTACLE COURSE LIVE CONCERT AT STEWART BEACH THE PARK REVENUE SOURCES SANDCASTLE-BUILDING LESSONS FOOD TRUCK EVENTS BAR AND SOUND SYSTEM AT EAST BEACH , , , ,715 $209,474 $330,237 $560,888 $768,785 GATE REVENUES HURRICANE HARVEY CAUSED AN ESTIMATED LOSS OF $131,790 AT THE GATES BASED ON 2016 REVENUE CONCESSIONAIRES CAMPING REVENUES SUB & SHIP REVENUES FISHING PIER REVENUES 2016 TOTAL $1,790, TOTAL $2,318,168 29% INCREASE $1,531,777 $1,843,132 PARKING PASS REVENUE $41,166 PARKING PASS REVENUE $54,765

9 EAST END LAGOON A Galveston Island treasure, the 684-acre East End Lagoon Nature Park and Preserve is one of the few remaining sizable tracts of undeveloped coastal prairie on the island. For the last three years, Park Board staff has directed a community-based East End Lagoon Advisory Committee charged with seeking funding sources for improvements to the area while protecting its natural beauty. During this time, the committee has made great strides for the lagoon, including developing shovel ready plans for a pavilion and confirmation of potential federal funding. THE EAST END LAGOON HAS BEEN SELECTED AS A POTENTIAL RECIP- IENT OF $1.4 MILLION IN RESTORE FUNDS. THE FUNDS WILL BE DEDICATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADA ACCESSIBLE PAVILION THAT WILL INCLUDE VIEWING PLATFORMS, RESTROOMS, PARKING, LANDSCAPING AND MORE. A LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL FIRM HAS DRAFTED PLANS FOR THE PAVILION. THE PARK BOARD WILL OVERSEE A CLEAN- UP EFFORT AT THE BOAT LAUNCH AREA OF THE EAST END LAGOON THAT WILL IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY TO THE SITE. WITH FUNDING FROM THE GLO, A 1,200 SQUARE FOOT PARKING LOT, BOLLARDS, A DESIGNATED PATHWAY AND INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE WILL BE ADDED. WITH FUNDING FROM THE GLO, THE PARK BOARD COMPLETED SURVEY WORK AT THE PARK AND DESIGNED A TRAIL WITH INTERPRETATIVE SIGNS AND MARKERS TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN SEAWALL PARKING Perched atop three-wheeled Segways, helpful Beach Parking Ambassadors interact with visitors to navigate through the payment process along Galveston s Seawall. Seawall staff are also Certified Tourism Ambassadors, allowing them to answer visitors questions and make recommendations about what to see and do in Galveston. SEAWALL PARKING REVENUE IS UP 15.3% FROM $645,249 IN TO $743,843 IN PROCEEDS GO TOWARD BEAUTIFICATION AND ADDITIONAL AMENITIES ON THE SEAWALL THE CALL CENTER ANSWERS MORE THAN 1,850 CALLS PER WEEK DURING PEAK SEASON CALL CENTER VOLUME UP % 8.8

10 PARK BOARD OVERVIEW The Galveston Park Board is a local governmental entity created by a special act of the Texas Legislature in 1962 for the purpose of directing all tourism efforts for Galveston. The State of Texas requires that a nine-member board be appointed by the City Council, with four members appointed on alternate years for two-year terms and a City Council representative appointed annually. Community-based committees meet regularly to review and make recommendations to Park Board policies. They are the Beach Maintenance Advisory Committee, Tourism Development Advisory Committee, Parks and Amenities Committee, East End Lagoon Advisory Committee and Downtown Oversight Committee. MISSION STATEMENT The Park Board of Trustees of the City of Galveston s mission is to promote Galveston Island, its beaches and natural resources, attractions, and heritage; to attract visitors to Galveston Island; and to assure that Galveston s assets, for which the Board of Trustees is responsible, provide visitors and residents with exemplary experiences in an environment that is safe, clean, accessible, fun and environmentally sensitive PARK BOARD FUNDING SOURCES HOTEL TAX 64% OTHER 5% CONCESSIONS CITY & COUNTY 3% REIMBURSEMENT 4% PARK ADMISSIONS 11% BEACH USER FEES 13% The Park Board is primarily funded by Hotel Occupancy Taxes and Beach User Fees, restricted funds regulated by the State of Texas. The organization receives no property or sales tax from the City of Galveston. The Park Board is set to receive two RESTORE grants for more than $10 million. More than $1 million will go to the East End Lagoon where construction of an open-air, ADA accessible pavilion is expected to begin within two years. More than $9 million will go toward continued beach nourishment efforts at Babe s Beach, west of 61st Street, to begin in CVB PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER IVETTE WILHELM WAS AWARDED A 30 UNDER 30 AWARD BY DESTINATIONS INTERNATIONAL THE HISTORIC SEAWALL BEACH NOURISHMENT PROJECT RECEIVED A BEST RESTORED BEACH AWARD BY THE AMERICAN SHORE AND BEACH PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION. THE NUMBER OF CERTIFIED TOURISM AMBASSADORS IN GALVESTON IS 802, UP FROM 682 LAST YEAR GALVESTON ISLAND RECEIVED NATIONAL ACCOLADES THIS YEAR INCLUDING BEING VOTED ONE OF THE BEST BEACHES IN TEXAS (USA TODAY), ONE OF THE MOST HAUNTED US CITIES (COSMOPOLITAN), A BEST SECRET HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS IN THE US (THRILLIST) AND ONE OF 20 PERFECT SUMMER GETAWAYS (TRAVEL & LEISURE) 601 TREMONT STREET GALVESTON, TX INFO@GALVESTONPARKBOARD.ORG