Houston’s hospitality industry has reached a new milestone, setting multiple records in hotel bookings, airport traffic, and convention sales in 2024.
More than 54 million visitors explored the city last year, marking a 6% increase over 2023 and nearly 10% higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The numbers, analyzed by Houston First Corporation (HFC), highlight the city’s growing appeal as a top destination for business and leisure travel.
The surge in visitors fueled record-breaking performance across hotels, airports, and major events, reinforcing Houston’s status as an economic powerhouse. Convention bookings soared, hotel revenues hit all-time highs, and air traffic at George Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports surpassed previous records.
A Historic Year for Conventions and Events
Houston’s reputation as a premier convention destination was solidified in 2024. The city hosted 740,000 room nights from meetings and events—beating the previous record set in 2019. Future business is also looking strong, with 759 meetings booked for upcoming years, securing nearly 862,000 future room nights—a 25% increase over 2023.
Michael Heckman, President and CEO of Houston First Corporation, credited the city’s steady growth to strategic planning and marketing.
“Our strategies are laser-focused on driving business for the hospitality sector and elevating Houston’s economy. These numbers prove our efforts are paying off,” he said.
“As we take on major new projects in 2025, we’re in a strong position to continue this momentum.”
Houston First’s promotional efforts expanded significantly in 2024. 114 journalists visited the city, producing 715 stories, a 60% jump from 2023. The VisitHoustonTexas.com website attracted 5.9 million visitors, up 12% year-over-year. Social media also played a key role, with 35 influencers from the U.S. and Mexico generating content that reached over 50 million people.
Record-Breaking Year for Houston Hotels
Houston’s hotel industry experienced a banner year, surpassing expectations in occupancy, revenue, and bookings. More than 25 million hotel room nights were booked, an 8.2% increase over 2023.
Key hotel industry metrics also saw significant gains:
- Occupancy rates climbed 7.7% year-over-year
- Average daily rate (ADR) increased by 6.8%
- Revenue per available room (RevPAR) surged 15%
- Total hotel revenue set a new record, up 15.5% from 2023
With new hotels opening across the city and a strong event lineup in 2025, Houston’s hospitality sector is poised for even greater success in the coming year.
Houston Airports Reach Unprecedented Passenger Numbers
Air travel also hit new records in 2024. Over 63 million passengers traveled through George Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports, reflecting a nearly 5% increase from the previous year.
- Bush Intercontinental Airport saw a 4.9% jump in traffic
- Hobby Airport experienced a 5.1% surge in passengers
- Peak travel times, including summer holidays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, helped drive record-breaking numbers
These increases reinforce Houston’s position as a critical hub for domestic and international travel.
What’s Ahead for 2025?
With the momentum of a record-breaking 2024, Houston is already gearing up for another strong year in tourism and hospitality.
The city kicked off 2025 by hosting PCMA Convening Leaders, a major global convention industry event at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The conference drew nearly 4,000 meeting planners and industry leaders, with Houston First expecting to generate $200 million in future business from the event.
Later this year, the IAEE Expo! Expo! will bring 2,000 exhibition professionals to Houston, further strengthening the city’s convention sector. New hotels, cultural attractions, and art centers are also set to open, expanding Houston’s offerings for both visitors and residents.
Houston: A Top U.S. Destination on the Rise
With tourism at an all-time high, hotel revenues soaring, and record passenger traffic, Houston’s hospitality sector has never been stronger. As the city continues to attract business, leisure travelers, and global events, 2025 is shaping up to be yet another historic year.
