The year 2020 and the effects of a global health crisis have destroyed lives and communities across Texas in just about every way: emotionally, financially, mentally and physically.

A full recovery won’t happen overnight, but we can still begin plans to rebuild our communities, stimulate the economy, and help Texans get their livelihoods back. Investment in public spaces and a spirit of collaboration will be required.

The good news is that cultural tourism is facing a big year and the forecast trends are favorable for smaller communities similar to ours.

VRBO, an American online vacation rental marketplace, recently published its Trend Report 2021, based on US survey results of more than 8,000 people, showing that travelers are eagerly planning to make up for lost time, but with changed plans and goals.

According to the message:

  • 82% of families already have travel plans for 2021
  • 59% of families say they are more likely to drive than fly on their next trip
  • 65% plan to travel more than they did before the pandemic
  • 33% are willing to spend more than traditionally

As we emerge from this global pandemic, the survey shows that travelers may opt for smaller cities with fewer crowds than large cities that are a plane trip away.

While tourist travel preferences may change after 2020, culture will continue to play an important role in attracting tourists and boosting the local economy.

In a March 2018 report, we learned that the arts and culture industries contributed $ 67.5 billion to the economy of rural communities, according to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Endowment for the Arts. Research from Bloomberg Philanthropies also found that consumers intend to visit cultural institutions once they reopen with outdoor attractions and venues that allow greater freedom of movement when demand increases.

Think museums, botanical gardens, zoos, and outdoor event spaces.

This is great news for smaller communities as it could be on many travel lists.

This was a goal of the Mitte Foundation – a Brownsville-based organization that aims to identify, engage, and support educational and community organizations – with the Mitte Cultural District.

The vision for the Kulturviertel Mitte is to play a major role in Brownsville’s attraction for both families in the region and tourists.

Never has the focus been more important on returning spaces to the public while enhancing amenities to create memories as well as educational and economic opportunities for all. With new improvements expected to be completed in 2021, the Mitte cultural district will attract tourism to stimulate the economy with the support of local small businesses.

In a post-pandemic world, outside areas will be key, found on the district’s list of improvements. This includes an outdoor concert venue with built-in “grass berms” for 120 people (plus space for another 300 open lawns in front of the stage), spaces for local food trucks to serve their cuisine, and parking for 54 vehicles.

The foundation has also worked with the Brownsville Health and Wellness Coalition to create more space for the farmers market. The Mitte Foundation has invested a total of 5 million US dollars and is counting here.

The district’s offerings go beyond this space. The Mitte Foundation and Brownsville Children’s Museum have teamed up to expand educational programs for young people and adults in and around Brownsville by expanding the museum.

You could say we envision how we can bring learning opportunities into the stratosphere. We hope that in the early stages of planning, Brownsville residents and visitors alike can enjoy these new cultural conveniences for generations to come.

With the news of several reliable vaccines spreading, there is a sense of hope that soon we can get out of a miserable 2020 and begin the new year, ready to work and play.

To make this a reality in our Texas communities, city guides, tourism stakeholders, vendors, and all community members who have invested in their future must provide assistance.

Together we can relax and come out stronger than before.

Coleith Molstad is executive director of the Mitte Foundation and Felipe Peña is executive director of the Brownsville Children’s Museum and chair of the board of directors for the Mitte cultural district.