The Valley Winter Visitors and Local Market Report 2004 - 2005 FAST FACTS Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

Study Methodology Place: La Plaza, Valle Vista and Sunrise Malls Dates: March 3rd - March 13th, 2005 Participants: 1801 Local residents 280 Mexican Nationals 120 Winter Texans 121 Other Tourists Interviewers: 201 UTPA and UTB/TSC Students Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

Winter Texans Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

The Average Winter Texan… is married is 68.4 years old has an average household income of $47,800 has 13.9 years of education retired more than one year ago Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

Winter Texan Valley Stay Stayed 3.7 months Arrived in the Valley by car Had come to the Valley for 10 years Came for the climate and for a winter vacation Lived in their own RV or mobile home Visited flea markets, the beach and Mexico Planed to return to the Valley. Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

Winter Texan Economic Impact 2004-2005 127,000 Winter Texans (63,500 households) Spent and average of $6614 per household Spent a total of $420 million while in the Valley Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

WT Count/Dollar Contribution 1986-2005 Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

Mexican Nationals Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

The Average Mexican National… is married is 41.5 years old is from Reynosa, Matamoros or Monterrey is employed in retail, professional and business services or education has an average monthly household income of 34,877 pesos Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

Mexican National Valley Visit Came to the Valley by car Came with 2.8 adults and 1.8 children Came to shop Stayed one day or less Stayed with friends or relatives or in a hotel, if they stayed overnight Averaged 55 trips to the Valley in 2004 Visited the beach and the zoo Spent an average of $5,300/household in the Valley during 2004. Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

Other Tourists Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

The Average Tourist… is married is Hispanic is 34.3 years old works full-time has an annual household income of $44,950 has 14 years of education resides in Texas Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

Other Tourists Valley Visit Came to the Valley to visit family and friends or for a winter vacation Had made 4.1 trips to the Valley in the past Went to the beach and Mexico while in the Valley Planed to return to the Valley Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

The Average Local Resident… is married is Hispanic is 32.6 years old has 13.3 years of education works full-time has an average annual household income of $39,232 The most popular local activities are the beach, the zoo, flea markets and festivals. Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

Special Interest Topics Examined in the Study Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

Valley Issues That Need Improvement . . . Winter Texans: Trash, traffic and traffic law enforcement, crime and roads and road construction Mexican Nationals: ‘Nothing needs improvement’ and bridge crossing Other Tourists: Roads and road construction and traffic and traffic law enforcement Local Residents: Roads and road construction, traffic and traffic law enforcement Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

Change in Visits to Mexico in the Past Six Months Winter Texans: 26.1 percent had changed visits to Mexico because of safety/security concerns or improved Mexico conditions Local Residents: 32.2 percent had changed visits to Mexico, primarily because of concerns for safety/security Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

New National Retails Stores Wanted Local Residents: Fifty or more residents would like to see a Macys, Foley’s, Kohl’s and or outlet stores in the Valley Mexican Nationals: Most often mentioned stores wanted were Macy’s and Foley’s Winter Texans: The most often mentioned store wanted was Kohl’s Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

Expected Attendance at NFL Games Mexican Nationals: 64.6 percent would attend one or more games Local Residents: 79.6 percent would attend one or more games Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

Opinions about U.S. Border Entry/Exit Policies Winter Texans: 59 percent approve; 5 percent disapprove 17 percent believe policies should be stricter Mexican Nationals: 38 percent approved; 4 percent disapprove 15 percent believed the policies are too strict 9 percent believed the policies are tedious Other Tourists: 39 percent approve; 3 percent disapprove Local Residents: 42 percent approve; 4 percent disapprove 20 percent believe policies should be stricter Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

Mexican Nationals’ Expected Response to a Change in U. S Mexican Nationals’ Expected Response to a Change in U.S. Exit Policy That Would Require a Stop at Customs When Leaving the U.S. 44.2 percent would not come to the U.S. or would come less often 29.7 percent would not change their visits to the U.S. Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005

Want a copy? Copies of the complete report are available for $50. Contact: The Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center The University of Texas-Pan American College of Business Administration Edinburg, Texas 78541 Phone: 956.381.3395 Fax: 956.381.2970 e-mail: pmsimpson@utpa.edu Valley Markets and Tourism Research Center UTPA © 2005