S.P.I. Prepares for Spring Breakers

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Tourism dropped tremendously on the island during 2008, but the local community came together to repair their businesses and homes after the hurricane season. The question that everyone is asking is if everything will be up and running by spring break? Less than three months away for the popular spring break hot spot to come alive, many South Padre Island hotels are still trying to get back on their feet.
Dan Quandt, Dir. of Convention and Visitor Bureau of SPI: “One of our biggest challenges is that only one of our four largest hotels is open right now- the Isla Grand. The Sheraton hotel will open in late March”
Earlier today, representatives from many tourism centers across the state exchanged ideas at the Isla Grand hotel on how their highly visited sites can survive the recession. South Padre Island as well as the San Marcos premium outlets depends on our neighbor to the south to make money.
Rebecca Ybarra-Ramirez, Conventions and Visitors: “We definitely have seen a slight drop in San Marcos and we of course have the third most visited destination in Texas, which are the outlets, so we see the traffic coming in, especially from Mexico.”
On the island, sales are 15 percent down compared to the previous year, but island officials believe events this year will boost their economy.
Dan Quandt, Dir. of Convention and Visitor Bureau of SPI: “Business wise we are doing well. We are not doing as well as we were a year ago, but that makes sense because we don’t have as many hotels.”
Only one of the four largest hotels on the island will operate during spring break. Isla Grand hotel’s General Manager, Daniel Salazar, says his business will operate at full capacity to accommodate as many vacationers as possible.
Daniel Salazar, General Manager, Isla Grand Hotel: “We are making sure that spring breakers and everyone else that wants to travel to know that we are open. We will be the only full service resort open through March.”
Less competition means more business for the surviving hotels. Even though three of the main hotels will not be open this March, island officials say many condos will be leased by their owners.