Texas’ leisure and hospitality industry fared better in the first half of 2024 than the nation as a whole.

Data from the U.S. Travel Association shows a 2.7% increase in leisure and hospitality jobs in the State of Texas as of June of this year compared to the same period in 2023. At the national level, leisure and hospitality jobs are up 2.5% so far this year.

Another barometer of travel activity, air passenger traffic, is up 9% in Texas compared to just 7.1% across the U.S.

And when it comes to hotel demand, the Texas market has experienced a 0.6% increase while demand nationwide is up 0.1%.

Across the South, Texas’ competitive tourism states are seeing similar increases in activity. Leisure and hospitality jobs in Georgia and Florida are up about 2%. One exception is South Carolina where jobs in the sector are up 5% year over year.

Click here to see the latest hospitality stats in Houston.