McAllen, TX – May 20, 2024 – Visit McAllen kicked off National Travel and Tourism Week with a celebration of the efforts made across the city that make McAllen, “The Place to Be.” Leigh Wooldridge, Vice President of Visit McAllen, introduced the event, sharing McAllen’s travel and tourism achievements that align with this year’s National Travel and Tourism Week theme: travel powering the economy and connecting America.

“Travel is a $2.8 trillion dollar industry that supports nearly 15 million jobs across America,” Wooldridge said. “Travel spending supports vibrant and safe communities like McAllen, Texas and others across the United States by generating $89 billion in state and local tax revenue to support essential services like education, emergency response and public safety.”

In 2023 alone, the Chamber of McAllen reported that direct travel spending in McAllen totaled $824 million dollars. Local tax receipts resulting from travel to McAllen, which totaled $18.8 million dollars, supporting services like education, emergency response, public safety and more.

City of McAllen officials, including Mayor Pro-Tem, Omar Quintanilla shared information on the hospitality industry’s impact on employment, noting that from hospitably alone, McAllen was able to employ 7,600 residents in local hotels, restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and transit hubs.

Mayor Pro-Tem Quintanilla also shared his perspective on the importance of welcoming tourism to McAllen, emphasizing the story we are able to tell its national and international travelers.

“To continue to grow this vital sector of McAllen, we must continue to foster creativity and treat every guest with genuine hospitality, that is the spirit of McAllen,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Quintanilla.

Assistant City Manager, Joe Vera, a driver of McAllen’s spirit, noted McAllen’s International Festival and Events Association wins. This claim to fame came from the work done to create captivating festivals and events enjoyed by both tourists and locals. 

Assistant City Manager Vera shared that McAllen is always focused on bringing families together and making McAllen a destination. With events like MXLAN, Fiesta De Palmas and the South Pole of Texas, McAllen is solidifying itself as a South Texas Travel Destination.

Carina Jimenez, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation, discussed the importance of sports tourism, and the reputation McAllen has built as a premiere sporting destination thanks to the city’s robust sports complexes and infrastructure.

“In 2023, McAllen Sports Tourism brought an economic impact of over $7.8 million dollars,” she shared.

Daniella Plata, Director of International Relations for the City of McAllen, followed Jimenez with the importance of the “International Traveler” as a major economic driver, sharing that 28% of McAllen tourism is made up of International Travelers entering from our International Bridge and through international flights.

President and Executive Director of the International Museum of Art and Science, Ann Fortescue, the event’s penultimate speaker, discussed the importance of the “local traveler,” and how the arts, restaurants, and businesses in McAllen improve the quality of life for the Rio Grande Valley’s deserving residents.

“We see that a lot of our visitors to the museum come from within a 90-mile radius,” she said. “It’s important to recognize the local traveler and the opportunities we bring to our community when we think about tourism to McAllen.” 

To continue the celebration of travel and tourism this week, Wooldridge ended the morning on an exciting note, announcing a city-wide giveaway in partnership with the McAllen International Airport and Volaris airlines.

“To embody the sound and pulse of our community, Visit McAllen is helping our residents put together a summer community playlist – with a twist!” Wooldridge shared.

From May 20, 2024 to May 27, 2024, everyone in the City of McAllen will have a chance to submit a “song” through the link posted in Visit McAllen’s social media channels. Those who submit a song, along with their name and information, are automatically entered for a chance to win two flights to Cancun with Volaris airlines.

The second prize winner will receive a special staycation package at the Radisson in McAllen along with a complimentary steak dinner, a bottle of wine, and breakfast. The first 25 entries will win a 956 McAllen T-shirt!

“I love to see firsthand how when a city priorities tourism and travel, it can create a special experience for every visitor,” said Woolridge. “McAllen truly has something to offer for everyone.”

Established in 1983, National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) is an annual tradition to celebrate the U.S. travel community and travel’s essential role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating communities, creating quality job opportunities, inspiring new businesses and elevating the quality of life for Americans.

To learn more, visit visitmcallen.com. 

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