A leading developer in the hospitality industry will invest nearly $25 million to construct two hotels next to the Mission Event Center. The new additions can draw tourism, spur economic development and will significantly increase the city’s lodging.  

Nitin Kasan, the operations manager for Ocean Gate Hospitality, announced the developments on Dec. 13 during a groundbreaking ceremony alongside the Mission Economic Development  Corporation, the City of Mission and the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce.  

“We are thrilled to contribute to the growth and development of Mission,” Kasan said. “These hotels not only reflect our commitment to providing exceptional hospitality across Texas but also serve as a catalyst  for economic prosperity in the region.” 

The McAllen family-owned business, which currently has 23 hotels in its portfolio, opened a Moxy Hotel just a few blocks away from Minute Maid Park in Houston last week, Kasan said.  

Now, it has its sights set on Mission.  

Boosting Lodging and Local Economy

Kasan said Ocean Gate will begin constructing a new Avid and Candlewood Suites, a dual-brand hotel under the IHG umbrella, in January. Two months later, he expects to begin construction on a Residence Inn by Marriott. Both will sit on four acres of prime real estate just south of the Mission Event Center.  

Each facility will feature 110 rooms, adding a total of 220 beds to the 603 currently available across eight hotels in Mission. That accounts for a 36 percent increase in the city’s available lodging. 

“The economic impact of these hotels extends way beyond lodging,” Mission EDC CEO Teclo J. Garcia said, noting they are projected to create 40 new permanent jobs in Mission. “They’re economic multipliers. Visitors staying there will generate more hotel occupancy tax, elevate Mission’s profile as a destination city, and have direct and indirect impact on the local economy by dining, shopping and spending their dollars in Mission.” 

Aside from being strategically located next to the event center, the hotels will also be built without internal meeting spaces to bolster the city’s ability to draw more trade shows, conferences and other events to its facility.  

“We want to work in tandem with the City of Mission,” Kasan said. “Our neighboring city currently has a hotel occupancy rate of 75 percent. So, we aim to meet the burgeoning demand and cater to both leisure and business travelers coming to the region.”