The Woodlands plans a tourism economic development zone for marketing revenue.
THE WOODLANDS, Texas — The Woodlands may soon have its own tourism-based economic development zone.
The township north of Houston is sending letters to area hotels about creating a tourism economic development zone to better market The Woodlands as a place to visit and hold conventions.
The zone’s creation has been in the works for years, thanks to the passage of House Bill 5311 in 2023, which also allowed The Woodlands to collect mixed-beverage taxes.
As Texas’ only township — an unincorporated special-purpose district — The Woodlands is governed by an elected board of directors without the authority to pass ordinances. The last time The Woodlands asked voters to decide whether it should become a full-fledged city, in 2021, they rejected the proposal by a large margin.
The 2023 law permits hotels in The Woodlands to impose an additional 2% charge on hotel rooms, in addition to the occupancy tax, which will be allocated for marketing and promoting the township.
Continue reading this story on the Houston Business Journal’s website.
This story came to us through our partnership with the Houston Business Journal. Keep up with the latest Houston business headlines here.