GO RIO cruises, which won the lucrative contract to operate the barges on the Riverwalk, splashed its first barges into the River over the weekend, beginning a ten year contract to operate San Antonio's highest profile tourism amenity, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"These are brand new, brightly colored, we have five different color schemes of the river barges, five different panel designs, they are eco-friendly, they are quiet," said Lisa Wong, President of GO RIO, which is a partnership with Houston based Landry's.
This is the first major change in the barge design since barges were added to the Riverwalk during Hemisfair '68. The barges are owned by the City, but are operated by GO RIO.
Wong says there are plans for vastly expanding the operations on the Riverwalk. She says specialty cruises for 'foodie adventures,' ghost tours, sunrise cruises, even yoga cruises are in the plans for the Riverwalk.
Wong says GO RIO also plans new amenities to make it easier to get onto the river barges, including ticketing through a smartphone app.
"Our first goal is hospitality," she said. "OUr first goal is to make sure we give satisfaction."
She says the fact that what is expected to be the biggest year in downtown history is coming up in 2018, with the Men's Final Four and the city's Tricentennial, as well as the usual 13 million people who visit the Riverwalk every year, will mean her operations will have to ramp up quickly.
She says she is up to the challenge, with a new plan of operation.
"A robust beverage program, different ticketing locations, to appeal to a broader demographic."
She says despite the fact that Landry's is a partner with GO RIO, all of the Riverwalk restaurants which have already provided the meals for dinner cruises will continue to be available for customers.
PHOTO: DAVID GARZA, PREMIER MEDIA