For More Information, Contact:
Brady Closson, CDME
President and CEO
Fredericksburg Convention & Visitor Bureau
FREDERICKSBURG, Texas – In partnership with Longwoods International, the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau (FCVB) recently conducted and completed a resident sentiment survey asking for Gillespie County residents’ feedback on tourism, stewardship and marketing efforts.
A total of 1,316 Gillespie County residents responded over a two-week period (May 24 – June 7, 2023). Of the respondents, 67% were female and 65% were over age 55.
“First, I would like to say thank you to everyone that took the time to provide insightful feedback,” President and CEO Brady Closson said. “Your participation is truly appreciated. Through the survey, the FCVB has gained a better understanding of our communities sentiment towards tourism. The survey provides meaningful direction on where our team can focus our efforts to address and present factual information. The FCVB is working in partnership with our Board of Directors, elected officials, stakeholders and residents to ensure tourism is both marketed as the economic driver that it is for our community as well as actively managed to ensure sustainability.”
The survey had several key findings that included the following:
- There are mixed views about tourism, its development and growth.
- Half of respondents think that tourism is good for the local area and care about the success of tourism in the area.
- 90% agree that planned and controlled development is needed
- Respondents are unclear on how tourism financially benefits their community
- Only 50% believe tourism is important to the local economy
- Only 30% understand that without tourism tax revenues, locals would pay higher state and local taxes.
- Only 25% of residents think their standard of living is higher because of the money tourists spend in the community.
- There is not strong support of accommodation-sharing services and most want them regulated
- 80% think accommodation-sharing services should be regulated.
“Fredericksburg City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission have been actively working to amend the current short term rental ordinance with proposed changes to be heard by Planning and Zoning in September and by City Council in October," said Closson.
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- Residents are welcoming to visitors and are proud of what Fredericksburg has to offer and like showing off Fredericksburg to friends and family
- Destination stewardship is a priority and residents support the Love FBGTX initiative
- The community is proud to live in Fredericksburg
- 80% are proud to call Fredericksburg home
- 60% have greater appreciation for Fredericksburg after visiting other places
Over the next several weeks, the CVB will work with our partners to share additional takeaways.
“To quote and friend and a mentor, Maura Gast, former Chairman of the Board for Destinations International once said, 'If you build a place where people want to live, you’ll build a place where people want to work. If you build a place where people want to work, you’ll build a place where business needs to be. If you build a place where business needs to be, you’ll build a place where people have to visit.' The FCVB team is passionate about our engagement with our fellow Gillespie County neighbors and embraces the opportunity to promote Fredericksburg’s authenticity which has always made it a special place to live, work and play," said Closson.
To find a link to the full report of survey findings, click here.
To learn more about the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau or Fredericksburg and Gillespie County as a travel destination, go to VisitFredericksburgTX.com.