Galveston tourism best on record

GALVESTON – The summer of 2012 was Galveston’s best peak tourism season on record, surpassing pre-Hurricane Ike levels.

The average hotel occupancy rate for the island’s lodging spots in the summer months of 2011 was 74.36 percent — and that jumped to 79.4 percent this summer, according the Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Last summer, the average room rate was $121.31 a night, while this summer room rates were up 21 percent to $147.09 a night.

Houston’s improving and at times booming oil economy appears to be the biggest reason for the increase. New attractions such as Landry’s Inc. $60 million Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier and renovations at Moody Gardens can take credit also.