IRVING, Texas — A new survey shows strong local support for tourism, with 75% of residents saying it plays an important role in Irving’s economy.
The findings, released by the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau ahead of National Travel and Tourism Week (May 3–9), come from a resident sentiment survey conducted by Longwoods International.
The survey also revealed that many residents are unaware of how hotel occupancy taxes are used. Visitors staying in Irving hotels pay a 15% occupancy tax, with 6% going to the State of Texas and the remaining 9% reinvested locally to support tourism-related initiatives.
Those funds help support Irving Arts programs, the Irving Arts Center, historic preservation efforts and museums. They also played a key role in the development of major attractions like the Toyota Music Factory and the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas.
Hotel occupancy taxes also fully fund the operations of the ICVB, which works to attract meetings, events and visitors to the city.
“Without visitor spending in Irving, there is no home for resident arts groups or our Irving history, much less the touring acts that play at the Live Nation Pavilion,” said ICVB Executive Director Maura Gast. “Tourism powers every sector of our economy, from restaurants to retail, to tech, manufacturing and agriculture.”
