SAN ANGELO, Texas — Last year, starting in March, the COVID-19 pandemic essentially shut down San Angelo's tourism industry, with arts venues, music venues, museums and theatres shuttered to visitors to prevent the spread of the viral illness.
However, this spring, with more people every day vaccinated and dropping viral transmission rates, arts and entertainment have hit the ground running.
The San Angelo Convention & Visitors Bureau staff expect the industry to rebound from a pandemic-devastated 2020. With travel increasing, the mask mandate rolled back, and large-capacity venues are starting to re-open like the San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo.
Tourism - a mainstay of the economy in San Angelo lost more than 300 employees of the 3,3000 employees in the travel and tourism industry, which amounted to an $8 million economic impact in 2020, according to the San Angelo Convention & Visitors Bureau. Travel spending was down 12%.
Diann Bayes is the vice president of the San Angelo Convention & Visitors Bureau. Even though people are traveling across the Lone Star State, Bayes emphasizes encouraging San Angelo West Texans to take vacations throughout the Concho Valley.
"Without the local businesses that we have in San Angelo, it's tough for us to be a successful community. You want a positive community. We have a lot of small businesses here, and that is really a huge makeup for the travel and tour industry," Bayes said.
Rodeo goers were able to enjoy this year's festivities. Thousands came to enjoy the rodeo from enjoying lemonade, funnel cakes, and lots of entertainment and events. Just as many families wanted another year of rodeo, it brought back some business for local business owners.
The business owner, operator, and head cook of Fatty's Grill, Joe Pina, is excited for the rodeo to be here.
"It feels great to have the rodeo back in town. Being that it's here on the north side, it really helps a lot of the north side restaurants like myself. We get a lot more traffic because of the rodeo," Pina said.
Fatty's Grill brings its famous FoJo's potatoes, chicken wings and hamburgers have been their top sellers at this year's rodeo. This year, they even launched a new seasoning line. They are featuring new rib rub, brisket, steak and beef, and Fojo seasonings. With burger sales going up the most during this time at their eatery.
The food establishment let go of two employees during the entire pandemic. Moreover, they have been able to afford job opportunities to two extra lead cooks to cut on the wait time on food during this busy season. Pina said overall; they have benefited from being a prominent presence during the rodeo.
"To help with the prep and the flow and to make sure everything gets out on time...we have the same waitresses. We're going to let them enjoy the extra bonuses," Pina said.
Pina said they see a significant part of their business generating a good portion of revenue for the year during the rodeo season.
"During the rodeo time, we're here; we probably see a good 30 - 40% increase in volume for the duration of the rodeo while they're here," Pina said.
Pina was somewhat surprised by how much money the business was able to bring in.
"The stimulus and it hit right at the rodeo time. It's a little surprising, but people are spending that money out there, so it's a great thing," Pina said.
Pina and his team are already thinking ahead and figuring out how they will strategize the summer season.
"We do a lot of Facebook ads, and we'll have some signs up. We may look into some billboards. We are also looking at a second restaurant on the other side of town, and I think that will help boost both stores," Pina said.
From hotels, entertainment venues, and the rodeo, the visitor and tourism officials encourage community members to continue to support local businesses by shopping locally.