Visit San Antonio cites 44 million visits and large economic impact as city considers HOT allocations

A Visit San Antonio presenter outlined the organization’s FY27 strategy and repeated economic impact figures used to support continued investment in tourism marketing and incentives. The presentation emphasized the spillover benefits of conventions and major events for local artists, restaurants and small businesses and said the organization coordinates with lodging and hospitality partners.

The presenter said the team’s data show about 44,000,000 visits in 2025 and repeated a commonly used ROI figure for the organization’s efforts: roughly $45 returned for every $1 invested, according to the slides. Councilmembers asked for a financial impact breakdown that shows the effect of transfers and how HOT dollars flow to preservation, RiverWalk maintenance and cultural programs; staff offered to provide the requested breakdown and timelines for the proposed initiatives.