The hospitality industry has been defined in the new Hospitality Impact Study as businesses in industries that derive significant earnings from tourists or out-of-town visitors. Travel accommodations form hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and campgrounds are included as well as water recreation and river outfitters. Restaurants and other dining establishments also contribute significantly to the hospitality industry as defined in this study.

While some of the spending and economic activity at these businesses are made by residents of New Braunfels, the industries and businesses included in this analysis are typically focused on out-of-town visitors and in many cases would not exist in New Braunfels except for out-of-town visitors. The primary source of data used to estimate the hospitality industry’s economic impact was the 2009 state sales tax allocation for the City of New Braunfels.

Understanding some of the direct economic activity is not subject to this sales tax, additional data sources were used. After collecting and analyzing supplemental data the real impact of the hospitality industry is still likely understated. A full discussion of the methodology used in this analysis is provided at the end of the report.

 This study was prepared by Impact DataSource, a sixteen-year-old Austin-based economic consulting, research and analysis firm. The firm has conducted over 2,500 economic impact analyses of numerous projects across the country, including several in New Braunfels. In addition, the firm has developed economic impact analysis computer programs for several clients.