SAN ANTONIO, TX — The 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl generated $56.7 million in total economic impact based on direct visitor spending of $32.6 million for San Antonio last December, according to a survey conducted by Strategic Marketing Services and SportsEconomics.
The direct spending from the 46,349 visitors attending the bowl game between Arizona and Oklahoma State translated into $2.1 million in new tax revenues for the city and was the third highest impact in direct impact in the bowl’s 18-year history behind the 2006 and 2007 Valero Alamo Bowls which delivered $34.3 million and $42.6 million, respectively.
Since its inception in 1993, the 18 Valero Alamo Bowls have combined to bring 685,632 out-of-town visitors and generate direct visitor spending of $349.8 million.
“The Valero Alamo Bowl is proud last year’s game again made such a significant contribution to San Antonio’s economy,” said Derrick Fox, President/CEO of the Valero Alamo Bowl. “Our ongoing partnership with the Alamodome, the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City of San Antonio and Valero continues to provide impressive results and adds to San Antonio’s well-deserved reputation as one of the nation’s top destinations.”
The study also determined that out-of-state visitors stayed an average of 3.2 days spending $207 per day. Seventy-seven percent of the out-of-state visitors indicated this was their first trip to San Antonio. The average household income of this year’s Valero Alamo Bowl attendee was $118,000.
“Drawing a large out-of-city fan base during what is typically a slower time of year is a huge boost for our City,” said Ronnie Price, Assistant Executive Director, San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau. “In addition, the game provides tremendous value by exposing San Antonio to first-time visitors attending the game and millions others watching the ESPN broadcast.”
“The success of the Valero Alamo Bowl has paved the way for the city hosting other college football games that benefit San Antonio’s economic cycle of visitation,” said Michael Sawaya, Director-Convention and Sports at City of San Antonio. “San Antonio’s reputation for hosting major sporting events and its attractiveness as a national tourist destination will continue to be important considerations as we bid on future events. Our commitment is to ensure that the Alamodome will be maintained as an exceptional venue that will be marketable to many different and varied events.”
The complete impact analysis studies are available on the Valero Alamo Bowl website through the following link: http://bit.ly/ftbqNA
The 2011 Valero Alamo Bowl will be played in San Antonio’s Alamodome at a date to be determined by the end of April. The game will feature the #1 Pac-10 team against the #2 Big 12 team after BCS Selections.
For more information, please call Rick Hill at the Valero Alamo Bowl at (210) 704-6388 or visit www.alamobowl.com.
