Tourism was always part of the vision for The Woodlands as it would create strong economic vibrancy for this new development by George P. Mitchell. 

Now, some 50 years later, the majority of The Woodlands Township’s budget (nearly 60 percent) is funded by sales, hotel and mixed-use beverage tax, allowing for residents and businesses to have one of the lowest town tax rates in the country. 

Leading the way for tourism was The Woodlands Resort, initially called “The Woodlands Inn” and now celebrating its 50th anniversary. What began as a 218-room property evolved into an award-winning resort, complete with 400 guest rooms, five dining outlets, two championship golf courses, and an exceptional waterpark with a 1,005-foot-long Lazy River.

Found of The Woodlands, George P. Mitchell

Found of The Woodlands, Texas George P. Mitchell | Photo Courtesy of Howard Hughes Corporation

Other milestones along The Woodlands' tourism journey include the development of The Woodlands Town Center and The Woodlands Mall in 1994, as well as The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in 1990. The Pavilion, now the world’s top-ranked outdoor amphitheater, started with a 10,000-seat capacity, hosting concerts by The Houston Symphony, Frank Sinatra and Alabama. Today, it accommodates 16,500 people for 75 shows a year.

In 1999, the creation of The Woodlands Waterway added a distinctive feature to the area, making it a hub for activity and home to two top-tier hotels — The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center and The Westin at The Woodlands. These hotels have been instrumental in establishing The Woodlands as a prime location for business meetings and conventions.

The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau, now known as Visit The Woodlands, was established in 2006 to promote the area as a premier destination for business and leisure travel. In 2016, the organization began driving a significant increase in hotel occupancy and tax collection by shifting its focus to tourism sales and marketing. Today, The Woodlands welcomes more than 20 million visitors annually, with over 2,000 professional meetings and events contributing to its thriving hospitality sector. The Township has seen impressive growth, with hotel tax revenue increasing from $6.5 million in 2013 to $9.6 million in 2023.

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Couple kayaking on The Woodlands Waterway in The Woodlands, Texas

All said, sales, hotel and mixed-use beverage taxes make up nearly 60 percent of The Woodlands Township’s budget, helping keep property taxes low for residents and businesses. 
To learn more about Visit The Woodlands and how we impact the local community, explore our website at www.visitthewoodlands.com/about.