The South Texas Coast Is Right For The Expansion Of The Cruise Industry
House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 108 is the cruise industry study bill which I was proud to have the opportunity to file during the 84th Regular Legislative Session. This resolution was filed as a result of numerous meetings in the past which I had the pleasure to host throughout District 32. The most common theme I received at the town hall meetings was, “Why has the cruise industry not expanded to the South Texas coastline?”
The discussion about bringing the cruise industry to the South Texas coast has been on the minds of people for many years. HCR 108 will hopefully help bring the cruise ship industry one step closer to recognizing that the South Texas coastline is a great location to open additional ports of departure. HCR 108 specifically calls for the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to provide for a joint interim legislative study to analyze the development of a cruise industry. The study would look at the Texas coast between Calhoun and Cameron Counties and review its potential economic impact.
According to a cruise industry overview performed by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, a record number of an estimated 23 million passengers will take cruises in 2015. Last year, roughly 22 million passengers took cruises and of that, approximately 12 million sourced from North America. This increase in passengers has resulted in a large impact on the annual occupancy of the cruise ships. The cruise industry has also added approximately 22 new ships to their lines. The recent large annual increase shows a clear desire of people to take advantage of sea travel. It is clear that the cruise industry could possibly represent a significant economic boost to South Texas if the cruise industry would choose to locate a departure point out of one of the ports located between Calhoun County and Cameron County.
By providing a state interim legislative study, the State of Texas can begin to outline the benefits of the economic impact that can be generated in the Coastal Bend by the development of the cruise industry. At the end of the day, South Texas represents one of the fastest-growing regions in the state. Along with the population in the region and its surrounding areas, it offers a robust tourism industry, a wealth of natural resources and a number of ports which could be used to host a cruise line.
You can find more information about the cruise industry by visiting Cruise Line International.
If you would like to follow the Texas House and learn more information on news, committees or other aspects of the legislative body, you can access its website at Texas House of Representatives. The site features live streaming from committee hearings as well as access to a number of other resources. You can also follow the Texas Senate at Texas Senate. For important information regarding transportation in the state, feel free to visit the Texas Department of Transportation. Other references are the Texas General Land Office, or visit the Texas Railroad Commission.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Nueces (Part) County. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.
