Visit San Antonio warns convention center capacity limits could cost business if city doesnFt expand

Visit San Antonio representatives presented a strategic plan and FY27 budget that credited destination marketing with driving visitation and tax revenues while warning the city that limited convention space could cause some large groups to look elsewhere.

Representatives noted 2025 visitation of approximately 40.3 million and said international visitation reached an all-time high. They attributed much of the city's hospitality-sector growth to coordinated sales and marketing efforts and said VISTA's work had a high return on investment: for each dollar invested, they claim multiple dollars of economic impact tied to room nights and visitor spending.

Speakers told council that San Antonio's convention facilities are approaching operational capacity, and that competing convention-center projects in Austin, Houston and Dallas could attract large multi-year group bookings once completed. Visit San Antonio urged long-term planning and supported contract renewals that preserve destination sales and marketing continuity.

Councilmembers asked for a financial analysis of the potential revenue impact if other cities' new convention facilities draw business away and for a timeline of competing cities' openings to inform the city's strategy and potential PFC discussions.