"H-Town’s pride on the line" article on Travel+Leisure debacle (Houston: real estate market, rental)

[Jezer]

I love Houston and don't care where in comes in the list, or that it isn't in the list.

The people there are great and no listing changes that.

I have to go to Orlando later in the year and one thing I avoid when abroad is fellow Brits- I don't go somewhere else to have things the same.

Houston is great because you have such a diversity of people and also because it's TEXAS!

[velvetj]

Well, I am one of the few in Houston who does not believe trendiness, progressiveness, tourism, excitement, and wow-factor, are curse words. I personally do not believe not being on par with the rest of America's large cities is a good thing. I believe it is actually possible for a city to have a strong tourism element and be a great business town as well. Contrary to the Houston mentality, it does not have to be one or the other. I am one who does not believe people not coming from all over the world to Houston for leisure is a good thing. I say bring as much tourist dollars here to Houston as possible. Maybe my tax rate would be lower.

Houstonians often like to call the city world class, but as different as most world class cities are from each other, they all have one thing in common.....a strong tourist element. Houston does not. And prides itself on not having a strong tourism element. That alone says a lot.

*note* I am not speaking of business travelers, so please no one mention how many people come here for business. Let's face it, people visit Houston for two reasons....business and to visit family. To be the "Fourth largest city" in America, Houston has a poor tourism element and I find that shameful.

[Spade]

Originally Posted by velvetj

Well, I am one of the few in Houston who does not believe trendiness, progressiveness, tourism, excitement, and wow-factor, are curse words. I personally do not believe not being on par with the rest of America's large cities is a good thing. I believe it is actually possible for a city to have a strong tourism element and be a great business town as well. Contrary to the Houston mentality, it does not have to be one or the other. I am one who does not believe people not coming from all over the world to Houston for leisure is a good thing. I say bring as much tourist dollars here to Houston as possible. Maybe my tax rate would be lower.

Houstonians often like to call the city world class, but as different as most world class cities are from each other, they all have one thing in common.....a strong tourist element. Houston does not. And prides itself on not having a strong tourism element. That alone says a lot.

*note* I am not speaking of business travelers, so please no one mention how many people come here for business. Let's face it, people visit Houston for two reasons....business and to visit family. To be the "Fourth largest city" in America, Houston has a poor tourism element and I find that shameful.

well said. i like that houston is under the radar too. but it will come a time that it eventually will not want to stay under the radar. if houston wants these big events like expo 2020 and they want to stop complaining that even the media does not take them serious. they need to start taking their city serious. Houston has to much going for it to just remain under the radar.

[Black Jack22]

Originally Posted by Spade

well said. i like that houston is under the radar too. but it will come a time that it eventually will not want to stay under the radar. if houston wants these big events like expo 2020 and they want to stop complaining that even the media does not take them serious. they need to start taking their city serious. Houston has to much going for it to just remain under the radar.

Indeed. No more time anymore for dormancy. Take action now. Enough talk of the future.

[Black Jack22]

Originally Posted by velvetj

Well, I am one of the few in Houston who does not believe trendiness, progressiveness, tourism, excitement, and wow-factor, are curse words. I personally do not believe not being on par with the rest of America's large cities is a good thing. I believe it is actually possible for a city to have a strong tourism element and be a great business town as well. Contrary to the Houston mentality, it does not have to be one or the other. I am one who does not believe people not coming from all over the world to Houston for leisure is a good thing. I say bring as much tourist dollars here to Houston as possible. Maybe my tax rate would be lower.

Houstonians often like to call the city world class, but as different as most world class cities are from each other, they all have one thing in common.....a strong tourist element. Houston does not. And prides itself on not having a strong tourism element. That alone says a lot.

*note* I am not speaking of business travelers, so please no one mention how many people come here for business. Let's face it, people visit Houston for two reasons....business and to visit family. To be the "Fourth largest city" in America, Houston has a poor tourism element and I find that shameful.

Well said, that is definitely one of Houston's greatest weaknesses.

[jfre81]

Hold on - wait a minute - tourism would lower our taxes? How? Anyone who thinks that tourist money would be going anywhere but to the hoteliers, car rental companies and travel agencies is kidding themselves. More sales tax revenue, but I'll bet you an all-expense paid trip to Tahiti that rate won't budge.

Considering we are only the fourth largest city in America but have the second-highest concentration of Fortune 500 company headquarters and the third-largest concentration of international consulates, how exactly are we missing out on "world-class" status if we don't suddenly try to emulate New Orleans and become America's playground overnight somehow. Besides, what exactly does NOLA have to show for it all?

We have some niche tourist attractions like the space center that attracts certain people. They're usually off the radar of "cool" and "hip" but to fans of space exploration and technology NASA is every bit as happening as South Beach. Then you have Galveston and Kemah that have a lot of potential as regional tourist magnets, but I don't see people in the Northeast suddenly dreaming of a night on the Seawall or the Strand over Florida, the Bahamas or something. That funny color in the water is kind of off-putting too.

Houston could promote itself a little better in general, but I don't see the need to embark on a quixotic campaign to become something that's just never going to happen.

[Trae713]

^^And it's not like we aren't adding more (Earth Quest Adventures anyone?). Plus, didn't CityPass just add Houston as a city on their list? We're getting there.

[AlfredB1979]

Originally Posted by jfre81

I prefer the national media stays in the dark about Houston. Let Austin have the publicity. They can catch all the posers who think moving to another city will make them "cool" and "hip."

Word.

If I want to see posers, I'll dabble in the NYC subforum...which I do on occasion.

If I want a playground-based economy, I'll run to Cali or Florida. That worked out well for them. Low taxes, low unemployment, oh...wait a second...never mind.

[velvetj]

jfre81, you are probably right. My sales tax rate would more than likely stay the same but I'm sure we both know it can be much lower than it currently is, and for a couple of years now, there are some who have been trying to get it raised an entire percentage point to 9.25%. I believe more sales tax money could help stay that reality a bit longer. I believe more sales tax money could help temper the rush to toll every new road in the state of Texas. And I believe more sales tax money could help schools more than hurt them which would benefit us all ( all of this of course is connected to tax compensation, but I refuse to enter that debate).

Now, I don't recall stating Houston was not a World Class city. I pointed out that despite their unique differences, most World Cass cities share a common bond....a strong tourism element. Which again, Houston lacks, despite what some here may believe. And because we ARE the fourth largest city in the greatest country on earth, I DO find that shameful.

And PLEASE let me make this point if I make no other. I DO NOT NOT NOT want Houston to emulate New Orleans, Orlando, San Antonio, nor Las Vegas. I mentioned in my initial post about the pervasive idea in Houston that the city must me one OR the other. My point is that it IS possible for them to co-exist simultaneously. Look at Chicago. Look at New York. Heck, I would even say look at Dallas and Atlanta, who do a better job at leisurely based travelers than Houston (I didn't say business travelers). Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta are strong business towns but do much better in the tourism department than the Bayou City. We can do better with the balance of tourism and business.

With regard to NASA and the niche attraction? The only thing I will ask is, have you been to the Kennedy Space Center? If so, especially recently, you will know that there is a WORLD of difference between it and the JSC.

With Kemah and Galveston, you are correct in that people from around the country willl not fly here for that. If no other reason than, those who have traveled know there are other places that do the whole, "sea-side village" thing MUCH better. But yes the water is indeed a factor I believe. But that is even more of a reason for the leaders of the city and the business community to begin to think bigger than regional attractions only. Begin to think of people traveling to Houston in 15 years because of a incredible attraction. Or Houston having such a large variety of high quality attractions, the city develops a reputation for a great place for leisure, as well as a great place for business. Yes, I want that for Houston.

AlfredB1979, it's not about posers or trying to be like anyone else. It's about being the best you can be. I have always found it a bit strange how many Houstonians can ONLY see the negative aspect of being trendy. Can ONLY see the negative side of putting in a bit of extra JUST for the "wow factor". Embracing mediocrity "because it's cheaper". Finding itself behind it's counterparts, and being ok with it. Shucks, I remember in the 90's when many people here viewed a extensive mass rail system as, "trying to be like somone else". Thank God many began to FINALLY see the benifits of a mass rail system, but my point is weighing the good and the bad is something I would love to see more of in terms of things we have traditionally viewed with disdain.

Angel713, Earthquest......OMG, is SUCH an opportunity. I hope the builders of it think nationally instead of locally. When you do things nationally, attention is paid more to detail instead of making the ol' Houston, "how cheap can it be done?" the only priority. I pray that they place detail in the lamp posts; they stay concious of those beautiful trees instead of simply clear cutting; paint the large fountain in the center of the park instead of leaving it concrete grey; consider building the World Largest ________. Place detail as a priority. I want those behind that park to go for GREATNESS! I hope they do not strive simply for functionality.

I know this is probably the longest post in the history of this site, but I had a lot to say. To be quite honest, I'm surprised know one has pulled the "just leave" card. Or the old reliable, "there are some great things in Houston", which I already am very much aware of. Houston is great, but what we have is not enough. The city could be soooo much better despite what we already have to offer.

[neotextist]

Originally Posted by velvetj

jfre81, you are probably right. My sales tax rate would more than likely stay the same but I'm sure we both know it can be much lower than it currently is, and for a couple of years now, there are some who have been trying to get it raised an entire percentage point to 9.25%. I believe more sales tax money could help stay that reality a bit longer. I believe more sales tax money could help temper the rush to toll every new road in the state of Texas. And I believe more sales tax money could help schools more than hurt them which would benefit us all ( all of this of course is connected to tax compensation, but I refuse to enter that debate).

Now, I don't recall stating Houston was not a World Class city. I pointed out that despite their unique differences, most World Cass cities share a common bond....a strong tourism element. Which again, Houston lacks, despite what some here may believe. And because we ARE the fourth largest city in the greatest country on earth, I DO find that shameful.

And PLEASE let me make this point if I make no other. I DO NOT NOT NOT want Houston to emulate New Orleans, Orlando, San Antonio, nor Las Vegas. I mentioned in my initial post about the pervasive idea in Houston that the city must me one OR the other. My point is that it IS possible for them to co-exist simultaneously. Look at Chicago. Look at New York. Heck, I would even say look at Dallas and Atlanta, who do a better job at leisurely based travelers than Houston (I didn't say business travelers). Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta are strong business towns but do much better in the tourism department than the Bayou City. We can do better with the balance of tourism and business.

With regard to NASA and the niche attraction? The only thing I will ask is, have you been to the Kennedy Space Center? If so, especially recently, you will know that there is a WORLD of difference between it and the JSC.

With Kemah and Galveston, you are correct in that people from around the country willl not fly here for that. If no other reason than, those who have traveled know there are other places that do the whole, "sea-side village" thing MUCH better. But yes the water is indeed a factor I believe. But that is even more of a reason for the leaders of the city and the business community to begin to think bigger than regional attractions only. Begin to think of people traveling to Houston in 15 years because of a incredible attraction. Or Houston having such a large variety of high quality attractions, the city develops a reputation for a great place for leisure, as well as a great place for business. Yes, I want that for Houston.

AlfredB1979, it's not about posers or trying to be like anyone else. It's about being the best you can be. I have always found it a bit strange how many Houstonians can ONLY see the negative aspect of being trendy. Can ONLY see the negative side of putting in a bit of extra JUST for the "wow factor". Embracing mediocrity "because it's cheaper". Finding itself behind it's counterparts, and being ok with it. Shucks, I remember in the 90's when many people here viewed a extensive mass rail system as, "trying to be like somone else". Thank God many began to FINALLY see the benifits of a mass rail system, but my point is weighing the good and the bad is something I would love to see more of in terms of things we have traditionally viewed with disdain.

Angel713, Earthquest......OMG, is SUCH an opportunity. I hope the builders of it think nationally instead of locally. When you do things nationally, attention is paid more to detail instead of making the ol' Houston, "how cheap can it be done?" the only priority. I pray that they place detail in the lamp posts; they stay concious of those beautiful trees instead of simply clear cutting; paint the large fountain in the center of the park instead of leaving it concrete grey; consider building the World Largest ________. Place detail as a priority. I want those behind that park to go for GREATNESS! I hope they do not strive simply for functionality.

I know this is probably the longest post in the history of this site, but I had a lot to say. To be quite honest, I'm surprised know one has pulled the "just leave" card. Or the old reliable, "there are some great things in Houston", which I already am very much aware of. Houston is great, but what we have is not enough. The city could be soooo much better despite what we already have to offer.

I agree 110%. The Houston mentality, as I've come to call it, is extremely frustrating at times. Excellent post!