2022 economic impact of san antonio zoo
This report presents the results of an economic impact analysis performed by Impact DataSource, an Austin, Texas economic consulting and research firm. The purpose of the analysis was to determine the impact that San Antonio zoo’s operations had on the economy of the San Antonio, Texas area during 2022 and the related revenues during the year for the City of San Antonio, Bexar County and other local taxing districts.
In addition, the economic impact of the zoo’s $61 million in 19 capital projects in progress and to be completed in 2022 and 2023 was calculated.
San Antonio Zoo is a not-for-profit facility established in 1914
955,353 visitors during 2022 Supports 843 JOBS and salaries of $31 MILLION during 2022
Located on
56 Acres at 3903 N. St. Mary’s St. San Antonio, Texas
503 Employees with a payroll of $16,056,713
Home to a variety of animals representing
750 Species
Revenues of $30 million from operations
$15 million from contributions
Operations
$172 million economic impact on the San Antonio area during 2022
The zoo’s operations have a significant impact on the San Antonio area economy. The zoo’s sales and employees and their salaries provided direct economic benefits to the community. In addition, this activity rippled through the area’s economy, supporting indirect benefits that included sales in local businesses and organizations. Notably, it also indirectly created jobs and corresponding salaries. Further, the spending by tourists visiting the facility created sales in local businesses and jobs in the community.
Economic Impact of the Zoo’s Operations During 2022
The economic activity and related jobs and salaries propelled significant taxable retail sales in the area. Additionally, lodging revenues for local hotels, motels, and supported residential property owned or occupied by zoo employees and related workers contributed to the economic impact. These taxable sales, hotel-motel room sales and the value of residential property supported on local tax rolls are shown on page 7.
Executive Summary Page 2
Letter from Tim Morrow, President & CEO...................................................Page 4
Types of Economic Impacts the Zoo Operations Provide ...........................Page 5
The 2022 Economic Impact of the Zoo’s Operations Page 6 and 7
Planned Capital Projects Page 8 and 9
About the Numbers ...................................................................................... Page 10 Accreditations ................................................................................................ Page 11
Dear Friends of San Antonio Zoo,
2022 was one of the most dynamic years in our 108-year history, and I am proud to report that our vision of securing a future for wildlife has never been stronger. Our dedicated Zoo Crew and volunteers continue to work diligently to maintain and improve the zoo experience, amenities, habitats, and programming while focusing on animal care, conservation, and of course, educating our visitors and community.
We were once again named Best Zoo in Texas as well as #2 Zoo in the United States, receiving great recognition for San Antonio Zoo and its education, conservation, and animal welfare excellence! Our conservation initiatives, aimed at protecting wildlife, had major successes locally and worldwide, with more animals released into the wild than ever before.
In addition to these achievements, the Will Smith Zoo School operated at full capacity, welcoming students from over 60 different zip codes, and our Education Center broke every record on the books welcoming over 1,400 campers and 100,000 field trip participants (45% of those schools being Title 1).
In 2022, we saw a wonderful increase in engagement due to our new and improved spaces, special events, partnerships, and educational programs. We
welcomed a brand-new Union Pacific Mini Train, opened Discovery PLAYce - an indoor play space for 0–5-year-olds, beautifully reimagined the F.C. Hixon Bird House, added Project Selva 4D Theater, and reinvested into multiple zoo crew areas.
The community joined us for dozens of new births and exciting original events, like ZOOFEST presented by Bud Light, the Education 2 Conservation Celebration Luncheon, and Planet Earth: Deep Sea Adventures.
Our capital campaign, Generation Zoo, saw record donations to bring a new entrance, the return of gorillas to San Antonio, and more. We continue to raise funds for this important mission endeavor. We look forward to sharing even more exciting news with you in 2023 as we continue our mission of providing an exemplary and educational zoo experience for all. Thank you for your ongoing support - together, let’s continue to grow San Antonio Zoo and inspire the next generation of conservationists here in Texas and around the world!
On behalf of myself, our hundreds of employees, hundreds of volunteers, and millions of visitors, I would like to thank each of you for supporting San Antonio Zoo, our vision, our mission, and our future.
Sincerely,
TIM MORROW President & CEO of San Antonio ZooTypes of Economic Impacts the Zoo’s Operations Provide
The San Antonio area receives substantial economic benefits from activities at the zoo, from its employees and from out-oftown visitors to the facility. These include the following:
• Sales at the zoo and at other local businesses and organizations, and
• Jobs,
• Worker salaries or personal income,
• Local worker spending, and
• Visitor spending.
Visitors
Out-of-town visitors to the zoo spend money at the zoo and in the community. This spending creates sales in local businesses and jobs.
50% out-of-town visitors specifically came to visit the zoo
30% of the total visit time of other out-of-town visitors was to the zoo
Direct, Indirect and Induced Economic Impacts
The direct economic impact comes from the operations of the zoo and its employees. From the spending of zoo and its employees, indirect and induced benefits or spin-off benefits are created in the community. Indirect sales, jobs and salaries are supported in area businesses and organizations, such as construction companies, air conditioning service firms, office supply firms, etc. that supply goods and services to the zoo. In addition, induced sales, jobs and salaries are supported in area businesses or organizations, such as restaurants, gas stations, banks, book stores, grocery stores, apartment complexes, convenience stores, computer stores, service companies, etc. that supply goods and services to the zoo’s employees and their families and, in turn, to workers in indirect jobs and their families.
ECONOMIC BENEFITS PROVIDED BY
THE ZOO
SALES AT THE ZOO AND AT OTHER LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS
About San Antonio Zoological Society
San Antonio Zoological Society was established in 1929 and is a nonprofit organization committed to securing a future for wildlife. The society operates San Antonio Zoo, Will Smith Zoo School, Edutainment, Center for Conservation and Research at San Antonio Zoo, and Kiddie Park.
About San Antonio Zoo
San Antonio Zoo®, operating since 1914, is a nonprofit zoological facility committed to securing a future for wildlife. Through its passion and expertise in animal care, conservation, and education, the zoo’s mission is to inspire its community to love, engage with, act for and protect animals and the places they live. The zoo welcomes more than a million visitors each year and is open year-round. San Antonio Zoo operates the largest nature based preschool in the country, Will Smith Zoo School, the Center for Conservation and Research, and Kiddie Park. San Antonio Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Zoological Association of America, and Humane Certified by American Humane.
LOCAL WORKER SPENDING VISITOR SPENDING JOBS WORKER SALARIES OR PERSONAL INCOME
