SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Go Rio San Antonio River Cruises, a newly formed joint venture company, announced today that they have been awarded a 10-year, $100 million city contract for the operation of the river barges and concessions on the San Antonio River Walk.
The San Antonio River Walk is nationally and internationally recognized as one of the top travel destinations in Texas and hosts more than 11.5 million visitors per year with 1.4 million utilizing the river barge services.
“My partners and I are ecstatic to have been awarded this city contract to operate the river barges in our beloved home town of San Antonio, a city where we grew up, live with our families, and run our businesses,” said Go Rio CEO Hope Andrade.
Go Rio’s partners include Houston-based dining and hospitality company Landry’s and local entrepreneurs Hope Andrade and Lisa Wong. Andrade and Wong own a 51% majority of Go Rio San Antonio, which makes them the first Latinas in the city’s history to be awarded the high-profile river barge contract. Together they have a net worth of $30 million and decades of hospitality and business experience.
“We want to thank the selection committee and city council members for their decision to go with the most qualified, experienced, local, and minority-owned company,” said Wong.
Go Rio San Antonio enters a 10-year license agreement with the City of San Antonio to manage and operate the river barges and river barge concessions in the downtown and Museum Reach portions of the river to include tour services, charters, taxi service, and retail sales.
Their winning proposal includes the introduction of new programs to attract locals and visitors alike across all demographics, co-marketing opportunities with Landry’s brands, and the introduction of various iconic themed mascots that will participate in river and city-wide celebrations. They also plan to boost the local economy by hiring 250 employees.
