la Frontera In the News
Press Release
July 22, 2003
ROUND ROCK ADDRESSES TOURISM AT A WORKSHOP ON JULY 30
Round Rock is Turning Up the Tourism
Round Rock businesses and citizens are encouraged to attend a two-hour workshop at the McConico building to discuss the development of a Round Rock Tourism Plan from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2003. The workshop will introduce Round Rock to Destination Development Inc. and their plan to hold a seven-month, in-depth study of the City of Round Rock and its tourism potential.
Tourism is important to Round Rock businesses and the community, and the workshop on July 30, is an opportunity to provide feedback to Destination Development.
"Tourism has increased in the past few years with the addition of sports, amusements, new employers, new shopping districts, hotels and restaurants," said Sharon Prete, Director of Round Rock Parks and Recreation. "I encourage all service groups, homeowner associations, restaurant and hotel staff, elected officials, entertainment venues, travel agents and residents to attend this workshop to learn how the Tourism Committee is working to help them and Round Rock."
Round Rock businesses and residents benefit from increased tourism. The Round Rock Chamber of Commerce tourism committee was formed in the early 1990s. Around the same time, Old Settler's Park was developed, bringing new tournament opportunities to Round Rock, including national girls' softball tournaments, and the benefits of tourism were evident.
"Years ago Round Rock only had two hotels and now there are more than 20," Prete said. "As the number of hotels increases, so does hotel occupancy tax revenue. In fact, the first project the hotel tax paid for was to construct the Chamber of Commerce Building. Today, the Dell Diamond and United Heritage Center complex expansion is getting assistance from that same tax fund."
More is on the horizon. The City of Round Rock anticipates the opening of a new mall in 2005, and a new water park is in development which will help increase tourism in the Round Rock area.
Destination Development Inc. has worked exclusively in the tourism industry for more than 20 years in both the United States and Canada and assisted more than 160 cities in tourism product development planning including the Texas cities of Beaumont and Huntsville as well as cities in California, Montana, Nevada and Utah.
After meeting with the community on July 30, Destination Development will present their plan to the City of Round Rock in a follow-up workshop. For more information about the July 30 workshop or the Tourism Plan please call the City of Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department at 512-218-5540.
Once the plan is complete, Destination Development Inc. and the City of Round Rock will present all recommendations to the public. The finished plan will be available online and copies will be available.
