The City of Seabrook, Texas, held its regular City Council meeting on December 3, 2024, where significant concerns regarding the local hotel industry were raised. The meeting featured a passionate address from a local hotel owner who highlighted the struggles faced by hotel operators in the area over the past five years.

The speaker noted that all hotels in Seabrook have faced severe financial difficulties, with many going out of business. He specifically mentioned the recent sale of Edgewater and the financial challenges faced by the Holiday Inn Express, which was built for $11 million but is now on the market for $7.6 million. The speaker expressed concern over the impact of competition from larger hotel chains, such as Comfort Inn, which he claimed are driving prices down and affecting the local economy.

The hotel owner emphasized that the lack of unique attractions in Seabrook, compared to nearby areas like Kemah and Webster, is contributing to the decline in hotel occupancy. He pointed out that Seabrook lacks significant draws for tourists, which is critical for sustaining the hotel business. He questioned the viability of upcoming developments, such as Margaritaville, and expressed doubt about whether the city could survive until its expected opening in 2025.

The speaker also raised concerns about the effectiveness of the city's hotel occupancy tax (hot tax) funds, questioning how these funds are being utilized to support local businesses. He urged the council to consider providing advertising support for struggling hotels and to rethink the allocation of hot tax revenues, which he felt were not benefiting the hotel industry adequately.

In closing, the hotel owner called for collaboration between the city and local businesses to improve the situation, suggesting partnerships with organizations that could bring in visitors and boost hotel occupancy. He expressed a deep commitment to Seabrook and its community, urging the council to take action to support local businesses before it is too late.

The meeting concluded with a call for volunteers for the hot tax fund committee, indicating ongoing efforts to address these pressing issues within the community.