A recent study conducted by Texas A&M University for Visit Big Bend has shed light on the lodging preferences of visitors to the Big Bend area in 2022. The findings indicate a strong preference for staying in gateway communities, particularly Terlingua/Study Butte, with significant variations observed across different seasons.
On average, visitors reported spending around 4 days and 3.5 nights in the Big Bend area, with a substantial portion of this time – approximately 2.78 days – spent in Big Bend National Park. The study revealed that an overwhelming majority (96.5%) of respondents either spent or planned to spend at least one night in Big Bend National Park or in one of the gateway communities in Brewster County.
Seasonal variations were evident in the duration of stay. Visitors stayed for an average of 4.22 nights during the winter and 2.59 nights in the summer, with spring and fall seeing an average stay of about 3.5 nights. These seasonal trends suggest that the winter season, despite potentially harsher weather, attracts longer stays, possibly due to the milder temperatures compared to the intense heat of the summer months.
The study highlighted Terlingua/Study Butte as the most popular overnight destination, with over one-third (39%) of respondents choosing to stay there. This preference for Terlingua/Study Butte was followed by Alpine, which attracted 13% of the visitors. Notably, less than one-third (30%) of respondents planned to stay overnight in the national park itself. This shift towards gateway communities marks a change from previous trends, where staying within the park might have been more common.
Seasonal patterns also influenced where visitors stayed. Across all seasons, the gateway communities within Brewster County, with Terlingua/Study Butte as the frontrunner, were the most favored. However, during the fall and winter months, there was an increase in the number of visitors opting to stay inside Big Bend National Park.
The study’s findings are crucial for local businesses and tourism planners in Brewster County. Understanding these lodging preferences can help in tailoring services and accommodations to meet the needs of visitors. The popularity of gateway communities like Terlingua/Study Butte and Alpine suggests a growing opportunity for these areas to enhance their tourism infrastructure and offerings. As these trends continue to evolve, they offer valuable insights for future development and promotion strategies in and around the Big Bend area.
