Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Galveston looks to iconic festival to revive post-Ike tourism
Houston Chronicle ^ | Dec. 5, 2008, 11:32AM | By HARVEY RICE

Posted on 12/05/2008 12:07:49 PM PST by weegee

This weekend's Dickens on The Strand is Galveston's first major event since Hurricane Ike struck in September, and could indicate how quickly this island city can revive its vital tourism industry.

The 35th year of the festival, which recreates the 19th century with period costumes, also is an attempt by Galveston businesses to let the outside world know that most of its restaurants and hotels and many of its attractions are up and running.

...The Galveston Tourism and Convention Bureau has predicted that tourism will return to pre-Ike levels by spring break, but that is of little consolation to shop owners in the Galveston Historical District that are laboring to reopen.

...Storm water fouled the 500 lamps that are normally scattered throughout the festival area at night, forcing the event to close three hours earlier than normal Saturday, Jones said.

Dickens on The Strand will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, he said.

...The Galveston Historic District was inundated by more than 10 feet of sea water that left floors caked with slimy mud and store interiors in shambles.

Jenkins said it took 15 workers two days of cleaning muck and debris at Hendley Market before repairs could even begin.

...Flores expects 95 percent of businesses to be open by spring.

...Island's hotels nearly full Hurricane damage forced Moody Gardens to alter and slightly shorten the path of lights and reduce the number of exhibits from 100 to about 75, said Moody Gardens spokeswoman Jerri Hamachek.

...Entrepreneurs profited from disaster bus tours in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but there is no evidence of such disaster tourism in Galveston so far, Gaskins said.

(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: disasterarea; galveston; ikeaftermath; recovery

1 posted on 12/05/2008 12:07:49 PM PST by weegee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: weegee

Being born in 1957 almost my entire life is post Ike.


2 posted on 12/05/2008 12:09:31 PM PST by xp38
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: weegee

I’d certainly prefer a trip to Galveston this winter over a trip to New Orleans.


3 posted on 12/05/2008 12:10:06 PM PST by the_devils_advocate_666
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: xp38

the hurricane not the president..


4 posted on 12/05/2008 12:12:30 PM PST by genxer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: weegee

Well..., a favorite spot of mine is gone in Galveston. The 61st Street Pier (and building) is gone. I survived a tornado in that building when one went right over it (and I was inside...).


5 posted on 12/05/2008 12:15:55 PM PST by Star Traveler
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: weegee

61st Street Pier in Galveston...

Before —
http://www.61stfishingpier.freewebspace.com/

During —
http://news.webshots.com/photo/2845971100026445069lsCiNP

And after —
http://news.webshots.com/photo/2935548720017285164rdGhts

This happened during Hurricane Ike


6 posted on 12/05/2008 12:25:02 PM PST by Star Traveler
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Star Traveler
I mourn the loss of the Balinese Room--many youthful memories of the place.

I haven't heard if the hospitals have been able to reopen. Surely they have by now---I hope!

7 posted on 12/05/2008 1:12:34 PM PST by basil (Support the 2nd Amendment--buy another gun today)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson