San Antonio draws 39.4 million visitors a year and generates $23.4 billion in economic activity. But that momentum is not guaranteed.

In this episode of Greater 210, Jeff Webster sits down with Mario Bass, President and CEO of Visit San Antonio, to talk about what it really takes to keep San Antonio competitive as a tourism and convention destination. Mario shares his path from the front desk of the Marriott River Center in 1996 to leading the city's official sales and marketing organization, and what 30 years in hospitality taught him about what makes San Antonio special.

They dig into the convention center expansion debate, what happens to San Antonio's booking pace if the city does nothing, and why cities like Austin, Houston, and Dallas are already making moves that will matter in 2030 and beyond.

The conversation also makes a direct case to locals: the assets you take for granted are the reason 39 million people come here every year. Use them.

Chapters:

• (00:00) – Welcome: Who Is Mario Bass?
• (01:33) – From Marriott Front Desk to CEO: A Career in Hospitality
• (04:30) – What Visit San Antonio Actually Does
• (05:36) – Why San Antonio Is an Easy Sell (and What the Secret Sauce Really Is)
• (09:22) – The Convention Center Challenge: What Austin, Houston, and Dallas Are Building
• (12:17) – The Booking Cliff: Why San Antonio Falls Off in 2030 Without Action
• (17:27) – Tourism by the Numbers: 39.4M Visitors, $23.4B, and 1 in 8 Jobs
• (22:23) – A Plea to Locals: Get Out and Use Your City
• (28:22) – What San Antonio Needs Most Right Now

Links and Resources:

• Visit San Antonio – https://www.visitsanantonio.com/
• Greater San Antonio Chamber – https://www.sachamber.org/

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