Project Title: An assessment of opportunities and potential of Galveston County tourism, recreation, and park services (TRPS). Draft report.

Tourism and recreation are primarily utility (satisfaction) generating activities. The county of Galveston in general, and specifically the city of Galveston is a treasure of enormous tourism and recreation related resources. The sandy beaches along the seawall, numerous historic sites and buildings; cruising and sportfishing trips to the Gulf of Mexico; events like Mardi Gras and Dickens on the Strand, among others, are important tourist attractions of this county. These activities, indeed, contribute significant sources of income, output and employment to Galveston County. In order to facilitate proper economic planning along with efficient allocation of scarce resources for this county, it is imperative to have a thorough assessment of the existing opportunities and potential that will allow policy makers, commercial enterprises and the community in general, to make decisions to achieve overall economic growth in the Galveston community.