Waco again proved its growth as a tourist destination during spring break 2018.
Every available hotel room was booked between Temple and Hillsboro from March 15-18, according to the Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum boasted its second best attendance on record, as did the Waco Mammoth National Monument. Both experienced their best turnout during spring break last year. Meanwhile, the Cameron Park Zoo saw an increase over 2017, setting an all-time daily admission high on March 15 with 7,070 guests.
The three day Silobration at the Magnolia Silos drew 50,000 visitors, making for a total of 80,000 guests over the two weeks of spring break. And, the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce estimated its Food Truck Showdown brought 25,000 people downtown, according to the CVB.
"Waco PD would like to give a shout-out to all of our visitors, citizens, and businesses who played a huge part in making all these events safe, fun and friendly for all," Waco Police Sgt. Patrick Swanton wrote on Facebook. "Thank you for making WACO shine!"
Collectively, public transportation options were utilized by thousands of passengers during the two weeks. In fact, the brand new LaSalle street trolley carried 3,327 people out to the circle and back, according to City of Waco Public Information Officer Larry Holze.
Holze said the continued attraction is causing Waco to have one of the highest hotel occupancy rates in the state.
"And because of that a lot of hotels, a lot of companies, and investors are wanting to build hotels. We have on the plans right now additional hotels coming to Waco, so we won't have the over flow problem that we did during spring break," said Holze.
There are plans for at least 7 new hotels in Waco and multiple new businesses. Holze said the thousands of tourists who visited may not just be in Waco temporarily. Some have expressed interest in staying permanently.
"They're finding out that most of the homes in Waco are very affordable compared to where they're living. Two hundred to two hundred and fifty thousand buys them a very fine home compared to where they are. They're realizing they can move to Waco and find a really nice place," said Holze.
The city credits Chip and Joanna Gaines for bringing notoriety to Waco.