Winter Texans...a remarkable breed...
What a rare breed of independent citizen - a truly remarkable group of active and motivated adventurers - Winter Texans are a family of part time residents who are helping to mold the culture and character of Texas.
Of every size and dimension, they annually converge on the warmer climate of their home away from home state to spend the colder months under a warm Texas sun. They bring with them RVs, motor coaches of every size and description, fifth-wheels and travel trailers. Some own second homes in Texas, or lease apartments and homes upon arrival. A few stay with family and friends. But they come, and they come in larger numbers every year.
While this page is under construction, take a few moments and review the University of Texas at Pan Am special winter visitor study completed in 2001. We have printed the highlights below. Or visit the UTPA Survey web site and get more details. We hope you enjoy reading about yourself!
The UTPA Winter Visitor Study
Winter Visitor Report
2000 - 2001
Mall Intercept Study
Survey conducted in mid-March 2001
Mall intercept
La Plaza & El CentroValle Vista
Sunrise Mall
1763 Respondents
Winter Visitors…
Thirty-three percent of the visitors to the Valley malls were tourists during the 2000-01 spring survey compared to 38 percent two years ago. Of the visitors to the malls, 34 percent were Winter Texans, 40 percent Mexican Nationals, and 26 percent were “other” tourists.
Shopping and dining out are the two most popular leisure activities of Valley visitors. These are the same two most popular activities of local residents when they are on vacation.
Over ninety percent of the Winter Texans devote leisure time to walking, attending flea markets and trade shows, and watching TV. TV viewing is also popular leisure activity with the Mexican Nationals and “other” visitors as well as local residents.
Special Interest Topics
Winter Texans consistently demonstrate higher levels of satisfaction with pre-trip experiences and services received related to this year’s trip than did Mexican Nationals and “other” tourists to the area.
Winter Texans also had higher levels of satisfaction with the life domains factors of standard of living, financial situation, health, family relations, and community, resulting in higher measures of overall quality of life.
When asked the major issue that needs to be addressed to improve the Valley, the most common response from all respondents was streets and highways, most likely a reflection of the recent construction projects.
Winter Texans also suggested stricter enforcement of traffic laws and greater attention to trash cleanup.
Local residents would like to see more employment opportunities and continued enhancement in educational opportunities.
Taxation of RV/MH
Seventy-four percent of the Winter Texans perceive ad valorem taxes on RV/MHs to be unfair.
Eight-two percent indicated that the school tax is unfair while only about 50 percent thought the city and county taxes were unfair.
Eighty-four percent would like to see an “over 65” exemption for Winter Texans on their taxes.
Taxation Opinion of Locals
Thirty-four percent of the local residents believe the taxation of RV/MHs is unfair to Winter Texas, while 35 percent believe it is not unfair. Thirty-two percent were undecided on the issue.
Evenly divided!
Computers and Internet…
Ownership of personal computers increased 18 percent and the use of the Internet increased 4 percent from two years ago.
Sixty-five percent of the mall visitors own personal computers with 67 percent using the Internet and 76 percent using email.
Winter Texans
The typical Winter Texan couple…
Lives in an RV/MH, is from the Midwest,
stays 3.6 months in the Valley,
has an annual median income of approximately $43,300,
spent approximately $4,700 for this year’s trip,
made five trips to Mexico,
completed, on the average, their ninth trip to the Valley,
and plans to return again next year.
Major Differences
The major distinction in this profile from two years ago is the 16 percent decrease in one-time expenditures compared to two years ago. Monthly living expenses per household remained approximately the same.
An estimated 143,000 Winter Texans (71,500 households) were visiting the Valley during the peak of the Winter Texan season (February 2001),
a 7 percent annual increase since 1998-99 season.
The 143,000 estimate has a margin of error within six percent of the true value.
Economic Impact of Winter Texans
Approximately $329 million was directly infused into the Valley's economy from the 2000-01 Winter Texan visitors, the same total dollar contribution as two years ago.
While there was a decline in total one-time expenditures, there was a 5.5 percent increase in the total dollars related to living expenses, which is attributed to the increase in the numbers of Winter Texan visitors.
Economic Impact
The economic input – output analysis model produced a multiplier of 1.4, resulting in a total economic impact of $465 million for the Valley due to the 2000-01 Winter Texan tourism season.
An estimated 7,850 jobs were generated from this economic impact.
First time Winter Texan visitors were 10 percent of the total, up 5 percent from the 1998-99 tourism season. Traditionally, the percent of first time visitors is in the 10 to 12 percent range.
Where Winter Texans Stay
Occupancy rate in the RV/MH parks was down one percent from the 93 percent of two years ago; however, the number of total sites increased by more than 7000 from two years ago. RV/MH parks account for 79 percent of the Winter Texans with the remaining 21 percent staying in hotels, motels, apartments, condos, with family/friends, or renting/owning homes. In the 1998-99 survey, 74 percent of the Winter Texans stayed in RV/MH parks.
Volunteer Activities
The number of Winter Texans who volunteer their services to a nonprofit organization while in the Valley decreased 5 percent from 41 to 36 percent over the past two years.
Their church and the Winter Texan Volunteer Guide are the two most used sources for learning about nonprofit organizations that need volunteers.
