Not only are they relieved that 2004 was, indeed, a better year for the entire travel and tourism industry than 2003, but they¹re realizing this upward trend in their own market...and are out-performing competitive destination markets like Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Houston.

According to Smith Travel Research¹s 2004 year-end report, Arlington realized a 6.3% increase in hotel occupancy, reaching 57.6% versus 54.2% in 2003.  Arlington¹s average daily rate (ADR) increased by a modest 1%, reaching $67.96 compared to $67.29 in 2003.   The STR results do not include occupancy and ADR information from the recently renovated and newly flagged Crowne Plaza, a 200-room property located within one mile from Arlington¹s leading attractions, Six Flags Over Texas, Ameriquest Field and Hurricane Harbor.

In terms of bottom-line impact, ACVB¹s efforts stimulated equally impressive increases in gross revenues, which increased by 6.7% in 2004 to total $5.8 million.

FUN CENTRAL's 2004 performance placed the city ahead of most other Texas destinations including Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Houston, which reported occupancy increases, respectively, of 5.3%, 3.2%, 0.8% and 0.5%.  With regard to average daily rate (ADR), Arlington¹s 1% increase again placed it ahead of Dallas (0.5%), Austin (0.3%) and San Antonio (0.8%).  While the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau hopes to see continued gains in average daily rate in 2005, it believes the upward trend in occupancy is an important indication that the tourism industry is on the rebound.

"The U.S. travel and tourism industry weathered the worst three years in history after 9/11 and the effects of a recession," said Linda DiMario, ACVB's chief executive officer. "Even for a market like FUN CENTRAL, which is a convenient and accessible road trip destination, trying to stimulate occupancy proved quite a challenge. We¹re immensely pleased with Arlington¹s occupancy and ADR increases last year. All in all, Arlington showed promising growth and it would seem that the industry and certainly our city are on the upward trajectory." 

The Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau is spreading the news about FUN CENTRAL Arlington, Texas.  A full service, non-profit, private corporation, the Bureau is responsible for marketing Arlington as a destination for meetings, conventions and family vacations to improve the city's tax base and grow Arlington's stock in the city's tourism industry.