The Gulf Coast is a highly popular summer getaway for those wanting to recharge in the salty air with their toes in the sand.
Often, people who live away from the beach look forward to their annual beach trip from anywhere from South Padre Island to Destin.
But one coastal city is becoming more popular than ever. It actually ranked #53 for Most Loved Destinations in the world, beating out popular Greek Islands and even Dubai!
Corpus Christi, Texas has become one of the most popular places to vacation in Texas and all across the Gulf Coast, with 5 million visitors per year.
The Sparkling City by the Sea isn’t the only Texas city to break tourism records this year, and there are no signs of slowing down.
But just because it’s a beach destination doesn’t mean that’s all there is to do. Here is why Corpus Christi has become a hotspot for travelers:
Millions Of Dollars In Investments
The skyline of Corpus is mostly hotels. There has been a lot of money put in to make sure guests have a comfortable stay and want to come back.
This strategy has worked as almost $1.5 billion has poured into the economy from tourism alone.
One hotel in particular is undergoing a $30 million renovation to make it stand out even more. While Corpus does not have all-inclusive resorts, the hotels they do have are still very nice, with highly-respected name brands such as Double Tree and Omni. And some are right on the beach!
These investments are the circle of life for tourism as guests spend money, which then goes back into the economy, where Corpus has hired new police officers and fixed infrastructure to keep their city safe and welcoming.
Locals Are Sharing Their Love For Their City
Corpus Christi’s tourism industry has encouraged locals to spread the word about what makes their city so special.
With successful investments and improvements, locals are happy to show off their city. In the age of social media, it’s easy to put a good word out.
Locals have done just that, and it has helped bring in visitors. Showing off the great beach weather, scenic views, and hidden gems has been enticing enough to help bring in millions of visitors.
Not only that, but visitors are then sharing their own fun experiences in the city as well.
Affordability
One reason the tourism industry here has taken in over a billion dollars is travelers can afford to spend a little extra.
City officials cited a recent survey that showed Corpus Christi as one of the most affordable beach cities on the Gulf Coast.
When you’re not strapped for cash, it makes vacations all the more fun. Especially in a year where travel costs have shot through the roof!
Since there are no all-inclusive stays, guests can enjoy the revitalization of the city’s restaurant scene for some amazing local seafood with the extra money they have to spend.
Fun Beach Towns
Surrounding Corpus Christi is a vast stretch of beaches that are easily accessible. The most commonly known would be the small town of Port Arkansas, just south of Corpus.
Local news stations reported this beautiful beach town has been thriving and setting its own tourism records as well.
Another popular place nearby is the lovely town of Rockport, where it’s common to rent a beach house for a fun, family vacation.
Not Just Water Attractions
Corpus Christi and the surrounding area is popular for beach activities and fishing with all the makings of a Jimmy Buffet song, but that doesn’t have to fill up your entire itinerary.
With roughly 350,000 people in the city, it’s fairly large and offers more to do than just catch some rays at the beach. Although, there is nothing wrong with that either!
Downtown Corpus is not just high-rise hotels. There are interesting museums to visit, such as:
- The USS Lexington
- Art Museum of South Texas
- Texas Surf Museum
Others might enjoy the Texas State Aquarium with glowing reviews. There are vibrant streets full of street art to visit on a self-guided tour, or perhaps you want to pay tribute to the mega-popular musician Selena.
In the 1990s, she was tragically killed in Corpus Christi. There is a memorial and an additional museum dedicated to her life and career.
