Tourism: Gateway for Trade and Visitors

When traveling to Washington, D.C. to lead Team Tourism as a part of the Coastal Bend to DC trip, we carried a powerful message on behalf of Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend: tourism is not just about leisure, it’s about livelihood. Tourism fuels our local businesses, sustains our workforce, and elevates the quality of life for residents across our region. 

At Visit Corpus Christi, our mission is to strengthen our community by sharing Corpus Christi with the world. On this trip, we had the opportunity to represent not just our city, but the entire Coastal Bend. That bigger picture guided every conversation we had with federal leaders.

Together, we strongly advocated for restoring full funding for Brand USA, the program responsible for promoting American destinations abroad. With its budget slashed from $100 million to just $20 million, we reminded decision-makers that without robust promotion, international travelers will simply choose other destinations.

We also raised concerns about the new $250 visa integrity fee and long processing delays. Visitors from Mexico, Canada, and Europe are vital to Corpus Christi’s visitor economy, and we cannot afford unnecessary barriers that make it harder for them to experience all that the Gulf Coast Capital has to offer.

And for the many businesses in our region that depend on seasonal talent to create unforgettable visitor experiences, we fought to sustain expanded access to H-2B visas. Our hospitality industry thrives when it has the workforce to meet demand and deliver the kind of welcoming experiences that keep guests returning year after year.

The takeaway is clear: trade and tourism are the twin engines of the Coastal Bend. When we work together on a local, regional, and federal level to welcome visitors, our communities prosper. With strong advocacy, and a clear direction for where we want to go in both commerce and tourism, Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend is uniquely positioned to grow stronger, more vibrant, and more connected than ever before. 

For more information on our issue teams and priorities, visit unitedcorpuschristi.org/cb2dc.