The chief executive of Visit San Antonio says he is hopeful of securing direct flights from the UK “within the next 12 to 18 months” as he hailed the impact of hosting the 2023 IPW conference.
The US travel industry convention is taking place this week, with more than 5,000 delegates including more than 1,400 from international markets descending on the Texan city.
Speaking at the conference, Marc Anderson said the UK remained a key focus, with plans to almost double visitor numbers to about 40,000 by 2025.
Visit San Antonio opened its first UK office in October 2022 and held its first major trade mission in February.
Anderson said the approval of a $2.5 billion expansion and renovation of the city’s airport strengthened its case for direct air services, adding: “I hope we will have something to announce in the next 12 to 18 months.”
Speaking about the importance of hosting IPW, he said: “The travel trade is core to our strategy and IPW allows us to host key members of the UK industry and showcase what we have to offer.
“We are starting to see traction in business returning and having a footprint in the UK will help us accelerate that awareness and growth.”
He added: “One in seven San Antonians is part of the hospitality industry and I have never seen a city come together like this one has for IPW. This event truly showcases the power of tourism and travel.”
The 55th annual IPW is scheduled to be held in Los Angeles on May 3-7 next year.