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| The San Antonio Area Tourism Council |
Through a united voice, we build value for our members, the industry and the community.
The San Antonio Area Tourism Council is a private sector organization comprised of hotels, attractions, museums, car rentals agencies, airlines, restaurants, transportation companies, tour operators, meeting planners, vendors and suppliers to the industry and other enterprises that rely on tourists directly or indirectly for all or part of their business.
Founded in 1995, the San Antonio Area Tourism Council was developed to help with various issues and programs to develop the tourism industry in the San Antonio area. It is managed by a Board of Directors who represent all segments of the industry. Our focus is to lobby and protect the tourism industry. The Convention and Visitors Bureau (a department of the city) is responsible for the sales and marketing of the destination.
Our mission is "To promote and support the development of the visitor industry while preserving and enhancing the special character of the city and surrounding area."
The industry continues to grow very strong with over 106,311 employees and an overall economic impact of $11 billion. The tourism industry plays a major role as a source of revenues for the city, county, other agencies and school districts. In 2008, it brought over $286 million to these governmental agencies.
Most importantly, the tourism industry brings over $14 million to community giving every year in the form of in-kind, cash donations and volunteer time. Research is conducted every two years on the economic impact of Tourism and what it brings to the quality of life for San Antonio.
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| What We Do |
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We ADVOCATE for Tourism every day |
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EDUCATE our citizens of the value of the industry |
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INFORM elected officials and business leaders on the importance of economic development and how tourism improves quality of life |
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INTERACT with City officials and all city departments |
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PRODUCE the Economic Impact Study every two years |
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SUPPORT the growth of this industry including River Walk, Convention Facilities and our International Airport expansion |
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We keep an “eye and ears” on all issues related to tourism, by reviewing weekly City Council agendas and special meetings |
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We keep our stakeholders informed of proposed legislation or potential changes to City ordinances |
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FACILITATE meetings for our industry and members |
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We HELP our City leaders to welcome new tourism businesses |
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CREATE more economic development by helping potential investors and developers |
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| What We Have Accomplished |
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Successfully lobbied support for major projects underway in San Antonio, including Convention Facilities expansions, Airport expansion, Convention Center Hotel, PGA and the JW Marriott Resort |
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Lobbied to City Council during city budget process for additional funding for CVB advertising and marketing |
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Assisted in the renovation and improvements for Alamo Plaza |
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Supported many city and Airport efforts for more non stop airline service, including Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Aeromexico |
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Lobbied state officials with tourism partners to start school after August 21 |
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Assisted state representatives and senators with various bills introduced to help tourism and business in general |
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Supported efforts to sustain level of funding for state tourism, including efforts to merge Tourism and Economic Development departments under the Governor’s office |
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Conducted on average every year over 25 area presentations to civic organizations, schools on the economic impact of Tourism |
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Worked with San Antonio Police Department for past 6 years creating a Security Task Force to increase communication and training for area hotels and attractions |
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Supported tourism educational programs at both St. Philip’s College and UTSA |
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Started Economic Impact Study 6 years ago with the assistance of professors Richard Butler and Mary Stefl of Trinity University. The study is done every two years |
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Successfully lobbied with industry support the need to have additional advertising funds after September 11 |
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Supported efforts to extend and improve the San Antonio River and express support for the San Antonio River Oversight Committee’s efforts |
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Successfully implemented changes to various city ordinances who may have otherwise affected our members with additional fees |
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Partnered with area CVB’s and regional partners to create a better understanding of industry and bringing the Hill Country area to participate |
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Created more communication among all area organizations and partners with quarterly meetings and more interaction on specific issues |
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A Word About Marco
Marco A. Barros is the CEO of the San Antonio Tourism Council. He has been a resident of San Antonio since the pre-opening of Rivercenter Mall in 1987. He developed the Grand Opening and marketing plans for this successful downtown center. He spent three years working for American Airlines as a sales consultant developing new marketing programs for several new routes. He created several tour packages for Gray Line Tours of San Antonio and successfully exceeded over $2 million in charter sales for the local transit company.
He has traveled extensively in Latin America from Chile to Mexico and Canada assisting various businesses to set up operations and conducting research on new ventures. He set up Mexico Express in Monterrey, Mexico for the San Antonio Express-News, a direct marketing program to deliver catalogues and marketing brochures to affluent homes in Mexico door to door.
Barros often speaks to area organizations on marketing programs, how to do business in Latin America and opportunities to reach the Mexican consumer base. He is also active in the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Advisory Commission for the Convention Center Expansion, the Advisory Commission of the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Texas Travel Industry Association (TTIA), the Tourism Advisory Committee of the Texas Department of Economic Development and is a member of the Rotary Club of San Antonio. |
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