In 2023, the Galveston Park Board celebrated 60 years of dedicated service to the Galveston community, and this past year would surely make our founding board members proud. During 2022, the economic impact of tourism surpassed $1.2 billion. This milestone underscores the dedication of our team in promoting year-round visitation and fostering a thriving business landscape. With the close of FY2023 in October, we witnessed another record year. Hotel Occupancy Tax collections were bigger than ever in FY2023, and the year also gave rise to many new attractions and amenities to elevate our position as a premier coastal destination.
Collaboration For The Community
At the core of our success is a community-centric approach, ensuring that tourism not only enriches the experiences of our visitors but also elevates the lives of our residents while supporting local businesses. We prioritize residents in all our objectives, from promoting our destination to keeping the beachfront clean and safe for all to enjoy.
Recognizing that a vibrant community is key to an exceptional visitor experience, we continue to prioritize and preserve the unique character of Galveston. Preservation remains paramount in our strategy, with a focus on protecting natural resources, promoting responsible tourism, and inspiring visitors to treat our home with the same kindness and respect in which they would their own. Through this shared responsibility, we aim to create a positive impact on both residents and the environment.
In the last year, our team has made great strides in engagement with local stakeholders at the city, county, state, and national level. Our partnerships with local businesses, government agencies, and community groups have allowed us to pool resources, share expertise, and implement innovative solutions to enhance the safety and quality of life for all residents and visitors. By prioritizing civic pride, we anchor Galveston’s identity in its rich culture and heritage. Looking forward, collaboration remains a key priority as we work to sustain the vibrancy of our community for both residents and visitors.
Diversifying Our Perspective
We strive to make Galveston accessible to all, fostering a welcoming environment for people of all ages, abilities, and cultural identities. From installing accessibility decking at the beach parks to creating self-guided heritage tours, this year, we have taken leaps in the right direction to achieve this vision, quickly becoming the most accessible beach destination in Texas.
We dream big when seeking to accommodate visitors. We’ve expanded our reach beyond Texas and embraced international travelers, celebrating Galveston’s status as one of the largest historic ports of immigration in the U.S. and an extension of one of the most diverse cities in the nation. We aim to showcase Galveston’s treasures and multifaceted identity to a global audience.
Ushering In A New Era
Tourism trends are stabilizing after the impact of a multi-year global pandemic. As the tides turn over, so has our leadership. In 2023, the Park Board experienced a significant change in leadership with the appointment of CEO Kimberly Danesi, Tourism Executive Director Tony Lyle, Chair Jason Hardcastle, and five new trustees to the board.
Despite facing challenges, the Park Board trustees and staff have exhibited resilience and remained steadfast in their commitment to providing high-quality service. The change in leadership has infused our organization with fresh perspectives and dynamic strategies.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to these goals. In pursuit of them, we want to express our gratitude for your continued support and our deepest appreciation for all staff members, trustees, and volunteers at the Park Board. Our team, from Coastal Zone Management, Beach Patrol, Parks, Tourism and Administration, remains dedicated to serving and enhancing our community. We look forward to the journey ahead as we collaborate to foster a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving Galveston.