A variety of outdoor and indoor activities attracts millions of visitors to Corpus Christi each year to fund city services.
Gulf Coast Capital lives up to its reputation as top vacation destination
Visitors to the Corpus Christi area generate $1.5 billion of spending, earning the city the name the “Gulf Coast Capital.” The new moniker for the city is the result of the Visit Corpus Christi program to attract and maintain visitors.
“We live in a place where 11 million people choose to come for their vacation destination,” said Brett Oetting, Visit Corpus Christi CEO and president. “It’s a very popular city to visit and something we need to think about and consider for our economy.”
Tourism employs 24,000 people in Corpus Christi and generates 26 percent of sales tax collections for the city. Its annual revenues covers 40 percent of the police and 30 percent of the fire department budgets and can fund the building of 26 miles of Corpus Christi roads every year.
According to Mayor Paulette Guajardo, tourism is the second-largest industry sector in Corpus Christi.
“Visitors help drive the local economy by helping to support businesses, hotels, and restaurants, creating jobs and enhancing the quality of life for residents and tourists alike,” Guajardo said. “We hope to engage the public to take pride in our community and promote the things they love about our city on social media using #SeeCC, #CCME and #gulfcoastcapital.”
The initiative to involve the general public to share what Corpus Christi has to offer can increase the level of support that tourism development receives from the community. All residents are invited to help identify their favorite attractions.
“We invite movers and shakers in the area to partner with Visit Corpus Christi in displaying the vibrance of the city and all it has to offer to show how ‘we coast.’ We’re calling on individuals to lead and influence others to do the same,” said America Segura, brand manager for Visit Corpus Christi.
According to Meredith Darden, vice president of Experience for Visit Corpus Christi, trying to see from the point of view of a tourist can help identify what keeps them coming back.
Corpus Christi offers a wide range of outdoor recreational experiences, including sailing, windsurfing, fishing, and play on both bay and Gulf beaches, in addition to other activities such as the Texas State Aquarium, the USS Lexington, museums, festivals, live music, and food and cultural events.
“We set our sights on becoming the Gulf Coast Capital because we want our reach to go beyond Corpus Christi borders and get as many people as possible to join in on the fun,” said Emily Zertuche, vice president of Marketing and Communications for Visit Corpus Christi.
The Corpus Christi Visitor Information Center is located at 309 N. Water St., Suite D (inside Water Street Market). For more information, call 800-766-2322 or 361-561-2000 or go to visitcorpuschristitx.org.
