Houston First, the city’s tourism department, revealed that it is paying $90,000 a year for three years – meaning the city will invest a whopping $270,000 to have a Michelin guide here in Houston. Holly Clapham-Rosenow, Houston First’s chief marketing officer, says the city has redirected some of its budget from various departments to the guide, which is a measure of opportunities that arise during the year or when business strategies change. “The budget has some flexibility when the right opportunities arise, and opportunities like Michelin, The top chef, and James Beard – we’re going to jump on them,” he says, adding that the investment proved worthwhile considering the culinary scene is one of Houston’s biggest sports.
According to Houston First’s 2023 Strategic and Budget summary, spending on food and beverage accounts for about 32 percent of spending during daytime trips to Houston and 24 percent of spending during overnight trips — the highest spending for lodging.
Here is the full story, by the wonderful Samir Varma.
Source link