COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Memorial Day weekend, just over a week away, marks the unofficial start of summer, signaling busy roadways and airports across the country.
According to a report released this week, we could see an increase in visitors right here in the Brazos Valley.
TripAdvisor classy College Station as the second fastest growing domestic destination for U.S. travelers.
College Station and Bryan tourism experts say we have a lot to offer, and they're not surprised we're at the top of the list.
“We have a lot of sports camps at Legends, at the university, a lot of conferences and we have the fire academy. All of this really boosts tourism in the summer, which is really exciting,” said Lina Adams, Destination Bryan’s public relations and communications coordinator.
“We couldn’t be more excited about this.” I think it’s a testament to the work of many residents of this city who have worked tirelessly to ensure our local economy continues to grow and develop throughout the summer,” added Jeremiah Cook, Tourism Manager at Visit College Station.
With major events happening in the region this summer, tourism experts say they expect this trend to continue.
Experts predict a busy summer season this year, with millions of people expected on the roads and in the air.
AAA says they expect as many Memorial Day Travelers since they started tracking 24 years ago and believe the trends will continue into summer.
“The economy is much stronger than it was a year ago, consumer confidence is up 17%. This is a very strong indicator for travel. Travel bookings are up, so the summer is looking really strong for travel,” said AAA spokesperson Daniel Armbruster.
While must-see destinations like Las Vegas and Cancun are popular destinations, College Station has become the second destination on the list of fastest-growing domestic destinations for American travelers.
Bryan and College Station tourism experts say we have a lot to offer and continue to promote the area as a must-visit destination.
“Everything from our amazing businesses that continue to grow and thrive to our events and everything that makes this a destination to visit,” Adams added.
“The George Strait concert, the MEX Tour soccer game and a really big track and field event that's happening in July are a lot more exciting than I would say our normal summers have been,” Cook said.
Tourism officials say the region's success depends on everyone willing to work together.
“The university, alongside our athletic facilities, alongside all of our different hotels and all of our restaurants, all come together to put on these events, to bring these events to town. Without that collaboration and without that unity, things like this wouldn’t happen,” Cook added.
Experts say they've also seen an increase in people planning trips, milestone celebrations, solo trips and nature adventures this summer.
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