Breaking it down
During the annual meeting, Bob Jameson, president and CEO of Visit Fort Worth, said the number of visitors to Fort Worth has jumped from 6.5 million in 2014 to 11.5 million in 2024, which generated $251 million in state and local taxes.
Convention work last year led to 429,000 rooms booked for meetings over the next five years. Mary Kay, Alcon and Lockheed Martin all held annual meetings in Fort Worth last year, according to the presentation.
“Tourism is a team effort so it’s important we thank the community for their support,” said Susan Alanis, chairman of the Visit Fort Worth Board of Directors.
The hospitality industry supported more than 30,000 jobs in 2024, according to a study announced at Visit Fort Worth’s annual meeting.
Over the past four years, tax revenues generated by tourism have increased 47% and meant Fort Worth residents have paid $750 less in property taxes, according to a news release.
A closer look
Sports tourism brought 85 events to Fort Worth in 2025, including the U.S. Gymnastic Championship, MLB First-Year Player Draft, the American Athletic Conference men’s and women’s basketball tournament, PBR World Finals, Rocket League Championships and Fortnite World Championships.
“We’re taking advantage of every single opportunity that’s in front of us to make Fort Worth the No. 1 sports destination in the country,” Jason Sands, executive director/VP of sports for the Fort Worth Sports Commission/Visit Fort Worth, said.
Dickies Arena in Fort Worth will host the NCAA Women's National Collegiate Gymnastics Championship and the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball first- and second-round games in 2027. Both of those events were awarded in late 2024.
Quote of Note
“It’s not just about growth and population and becoming a larger city,” Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Park said. “It’s about maintaining our sense of place and significance as a world-class city, right here in Fort Worth, Texas.”
