Retail & Hospitality

Given the Valley’s growing population, the ability to draw shoppers from Mexico, and the growing tourism industry, retail will continue to be an important source of jobs in the region in the future.

While these are frequently low wage jobs, the industry does supply a key source of entry-level jobs, providing the opportunity to gain work experience and customer service skills that con be transferred to other industries. Within the retail industry, there is an opportunity for advancement to higher paying management-level jobs.

To maximize the impact of workforce investment in this industry, initiatives must focus on improving customer service skills, maximizing career ladder opportunities, and understanding the relationship between retail and the Hospitality/ Tourism cluster.

The Lower Rio Grande Valley offers a wide range of attractions for visitors, from the beaches of South Padre Island to world-class birding to the Los Caminos del Rio corridor to hunting and fishing excursions to daytrips into Mexico, making tourism a key opportunity for the region in general.

The ability to capitalize on growing trends in the tourism industry—heritage tourism, ecotourism, and hunting/ gaming—provide the region with a strong base for continues growth in the industry. The region is attractive to a number of markets, such as retirees (including “Winter Texas”) and tourists and business travelers from Mexico.

The tourism industry is a key target of a number of local economic development programs. One of the most ambitious tourism efforts in the region is being undertaken by the Starr county Industrial Foundation, which is currently restoring a local landmark hotel.

(Workforce Solutions TIP Strategies, 2004)

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