by Nicole Bradford
Pearland saw more than $1.74 million in hotel occupancy tax revenue in fiscal year 2023 — the highest in at least a decade, according to a report from the Pearland Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The number represents a 14 percent increase over the prior year and is the highest revenue recorded since the CVB became a city department in 2013. The CVB is funded solely through revenue collected from the hotel occupancy tax.
Now in its 10th year as a city department, the CVB compiled a report for the city council this week that touched on highlights of 2023. One of those, the city’s first-ever cultural arts master plan, was contracted to a specialty firm last March. Since then, a steering committee has been appointed, and 14 stakeholder meetings have been held along with public input.
According to the CVB’s report, approximately 360,000 people visited Pearland in 2023, the largest numbers of those visiting from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Austin, San Antonio, College Station and New Orleans.
An analysis included in a 2024 business plan presented by the CVB shows Pearland’s strengths include affordable hotel options compared to Houston with free parking, proximity to airports, retail and restaurant options, events such as Boutique Shop and Hop, Restaurant Weeks and Art on the Pavilion and city-owned athletic fields.
Weaknesses included no resort or full-service properties with large conference space, a limited number of hotel rooms under one roof or large venue space, and a lack of public transportation.
