FORT WORTH, Texas — According to the U.S. Census, more people moved to Fort Worth in 2022 than any other city in the country.
Yet the city trails other large Texas cities like Dallas or Austin when it comes to available hotel occupancy. It’s a disparity that’s prompted local leaders to act.
“People love Fort Worth and want to come visit,” says Fort Worth District 3 City Councilmember Michael Crain.
It doesn’t look like the growth – or the tourism – is going away anytime soon. According to Visit Fort Worth, the industry brings in more than $3 billion each year.
Plus, Travel & Leisure Magazine just named the city as one of its 50 Best Places to Travel in the World in 2024 – the only city in Texas to make the list. All that interest and growth has spurred a rash of recent high-end hotel developments.
“For us, it’s a great tool because we know people want to come visit Fort Worth and they need a place to stay,” says Crain.
But these hotels aren’t just for out-of-towners. Specifically, The Drover in the Stockyards and The Crescent and Bowie House hotels in the Museum District have become local hotspots and high-end destinations for customers near and far.
“Judging by the success of people coming through the doors, not only guests, from out of state or out of town but also the locals, they’ve been craving something like that,” says Gaylord Lamey, General Manager at Bowie House.
On any given weekend, locals are packing these new offerings. Whether it’s a dinner out, drinks at the bar or just lounging with friends, these developments are expanding Fort Worth’s entertainment footprint. And as they do, they’re also serving as yet another draw to those who want to visit.
“The museums, Dickies Arena, the cultural district, gets people to come here and don’t have to stay downtown or elsewhere,” says Lamey.
With any amount of development, the concern is that a city loses its identity. But as Fort Worth rolls out the welcome mat for new guests, the sense is that Cowtown is as charming as ever.
“You walk into someplace and know half the people in the room. And that’s what attracted people to live here but makes people want to stay here too,” says Crain. “Really, the vibe here is we’re still Fort Worth.”