Galveston reports record $8.4M in tourism revenue

Galveston had a record $8.4 million in peak-season tourism revenue this year in a continuing turnaround since Hurricane Ike battered the Southeast Texas island.

The Galveston County Daily-News reported Monday that officials believe a $100,000 marketing campaign called "It's Island Time" contributed to the increase. The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier also opened this year.

Ike made landfall in Galveston on September 2008.

The Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau says peak-season revenue from April to July has been on the rise since 2009 when the city collected $5.3 million in hotel occupancy tax. That's when discussions began about networking to include city leaders, tourism officials, the Port of Galveston and the hospitality industries.

Data shows about 920,000 passengers last year contributed $9.15 million to the port's cruise revenue.