H Texas
  • Columns
    • Hot Button / Lynn Ashby
    • Editor's Letter
    • Heart of Houston
  • Travel
  • Most Beautiful
  • Society
  • Lifestyle
  • Vote!
  • Top Lawyers
  • Top Doctors

H Texas

Banner
  • Columns
    • Hot Button / Lynn Ashby
    • Editor's Letter
    • Heart of Houston
  • Travel
  • Most Beautiful
  • Society
  • Lifestyle
  • Vote!
Travel Blog

Houston: America's New Sweetheart City

October 13, 2014

From the Houston Convention and Visitor’s Burea

For the first time ever this year, Houston ranked among the top five places in the nation on Travel + Leisure’s list of America’s Favorite Cities-one of the most-watched lists among destinations and a barometer of what’s top-of-mind among traveling Americans. Museum experience

As a destination, Houston has tremendous strides in recent years, with a robust arts and culture scene and ever-expanding culinary landscape. Now, the city has ranked No. 2 on the T+L list, which tallies more than 50,000 votes from readers and ranks 38 cities in dozens of categories. Houston scored among the top five for the first time in categories such as arts scene, theater, stylishness, shopping and more.

“We could not be more excited about this ranking, which we see as further proof that Houston’s story is being told and the city recognized as a destination on the national and international stages,” says Sonia Garza-Monarchi, board chair of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau. “To be named a top U.S. city by the readers of one of the world’s most respected travel publications honors the work our team does on a daily basis to promote the city to conventions and tourists. That said, the real credit goes to the individual businesses and organizations in all of these sectors-from restaurants and museums to art galleries and hotels-that provide an amazing experience to those who come to our city.”

Indeed, Houston ranked high in a number of key areas, often well above where the city fell on last year’s list:

Top City Overall: 2

Galleries: 2 – 12 in 2013
Museums: 3 – 12 in 2013
Theater: 3 – 18 in 2013
Free Attractions: 4 – 26 in 2013
Art Scene: 5
Concerts: 5 – 26 in 2013

Home Décor/Design Stores: 1
Boutiques: 1 – 18 in 2013
Specialty Food Markets/Food Halls: 1
Bookstores: 2
Antiques Stores: 3 – 9 in 2013
Flea Markets: 3 – 19 in 2013
Luxury Stores: 3 – 29 in 2013

Intelligent: 2 – 20 in 2013
Stylish: 4 – 26 in 2013
Affordability: 5 – 5 in 2013
Wine Bars: 1
Cocktail Bars: 2
Singles Scene: 2

Hamburgers: 1 – 4 in 2013
Brunch: 1
Bakeries: 2
Wine Scene: 3
Barbecue: 4 – 5 in 2013
Sandwiches: 4 – 21 in 2013
Bars: 4
Coffee: 5 – 26 in 2013
Craft Beer: 5 – 22 in 2013

Visitors to the Houston region spent more than $16 billion in 2013, up from $15.5 billion the year before, according to the latest figures from the Texas Office of Economic Development and Tourism. The travel and tourism industry also supported more than 128,000 jobs in 2013, a 4.5 percent increase over 2012, the report shows.The data covers the 10-county Houston region.

Meanwhile, more than $1.5 billion in infrastructure investment is coming to the Downtown area alone in the next two years. Eight new hotels are planned, including the city’s second convention center hotel, a 1000-room Marriott Marquis. Other major changes are also planned for the George R. Brown Convention Center and the convention district, including a new pedestrian promenade, ground-level retail and restaurants and more.

###

0 comment
0
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
Admin

previous post
GUNS ‘N’ POSES
next post
The Houston Challenge Scavenger Hunt

Related Articles

Explore Fredericksburg

February 11, 2013

Luxury hotels arrive in Bryan College Station

November 19, 2016

WEEKENDER: The Westin La Cantera

July 1, 2010

The Woodlands Resort Houston’s home away from home

March 1, 2009

Non-Stop Flight on United from Houston to Vail...

June 10, 2013

Watercolor Inn

February 7, 2011

Memphis

January 1, 2004

Luxe Playa del Carmen Resort Brings Good Times...

February 23, 2018

Azul Sensatori

March 1, 2010

Florida’s Forgotten Coast

April 9, 2012

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Google + Instagram Pinterest Snapchat

Recent Posts

  • South Padre Island

    June 23, 2013
  • Take Me to Your Litter

    July 9, 2018
  • A Born Experience

    July 2, 2018
  • A Portmanteau to Celebrate

    June 25, 2018
  • Fighting for Houston

    June 11, 2018
  • International Food & Arts event San Miguel de Allende- from July 12-15

    June 11, 2018

About H Texas



H Texas Magazine covers travel, dining, happenings, bridal, beauty, people and places in Houston, Texas.

Facebook Twitter Google + Instagram Pinterest Youtube Snapchat

Contact Us





Editor’s Picks

  • Fighting for Houston

    June 11, 2018
  • Seven Miles of Bliss

    April 23, 2018
  • Test the Waters

    April 23, 2018

@2017 - PenciDesign. All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign