The Texas Rangers are having a great season, and their success is just one reason tourism is up in Arlington.
Wednesday night's Rangers game against the New York Yankees is sold out, with standing-room only. The Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau said the crowds coming for baseball -- as well as meetings, conventions and museums -- are bringing in the dollars.
It's good news for a city facing a $10 million budget deficit in the next fiscal year.
"We've become more of a year-round destination this year, with the addition of Cowboys Stadium," said Diane Brandon, Arlington CVB spokeswoman. "And even when it's not football season, people are going there for tours. It's a phenomenal time of year to be in Arlington for tourism."
Four Rangers games have sold out so far.
"We're drawing over 40,000 a game," Rangers spokesman John Blake said. "At this point, we're up 50,000 over what we had after 58 dates last year."
This season has also been a home run for many other businesses. Nearly all of the city's hotel rooms are booked. Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor are drawing summer crowds.
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Rick Barker, who was visiting from Canada, said Arlington is easy to around in.
"This is the first time I've ever been here, so (I'm) checking it all out, taking it all in," he said.
"We've been exploring," said Kayla Udvare, also of Canada. "We're here to watch the Yankees. We love the Yankees."
Brandon is giving tours of various local attractions, including the International Bowling Museum, to out-of-state news organizations writing about Arlington as a tourist destination.
She is also studying the economic impact of the increase in tourism and plans to release the dollar figures in October.
