Galveston residents are feeling the strain of year-round tourism, a new survey reveals. While most still see tourism as beneficial, support for continued growth has dropped, with concerns about local culture and off-season crowds rising among islanders.
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A recent study has revealed that Galveston's thriving tourism sector is beginning to take a toll on its residents. Although most residents continue to recognize the economic advantages of tourism, their enthusiasm has diminished as the presence of year-round crowds has become the standard since the easing of pandemic-related restrictions.
The study indicates that 69% of residents perceive tourism as beneficial to the island, a decrease of 11 points from 2020. In a similar vein, the backing for ongoing tourism expansion fell to 61%. It is particularly troubling that only 39% currently believe tourism contributes to the preservation of Galveston’s local culture, a significant drop from 56% prior to the pandemic.
Residents have become increasingly exasperated by the disappearance of a customary off-season. In the past, the peak tourist season occurred from May to September. However, Galveston has experienced an increase in winter visitors in recent years. Kimberly Danesi, CEO of the Galveston Park Board, recognized these concerns and highlighted the board's dedication to harmonizing economic development with the preservation of the island's unique character.
Danesi thinks the board should use Galveston's distinctive history—Spanish roots, pirate past, Juneteenth birthplace, "Free State of Galveston" era—to draw tourists. They have so obtained a $200,000 grant for companies honoring Juneteenth heritage and are staging a circus residency on Stewart Beach in March.
Despite ongoing concerns, tourism continues to be an essential economic driver. Almost half of the respondents acknowledged that tourism contributes to reducing local taxes, although a smaller proportion of residents hold this belief compared to the years before the pandemic.
As Galveston adapts to its changing tourism landscape, officials are striving to ensure that both visitors and residents reap the benefits of the island’s growth.
