Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott has unveiled the Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community program, inviting interested Texas communities to apply for certification. The program, launched through Travel Texas in the Governor's Office of Economic Development and Tourism, aims to leverage the state's position as a top travel destination and boost the local economy.

"Texas is one of the top travel destinations for visitors from across the nation and around the world," said Governor Abbott. "I invite all Texas communities to apply to become a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community to leverage the expertise of Travel Texas, explore travel and tourism industry partnerships, and learn about the resources available to further grow local tourism and jobs."

In 2022, travelers to and within Texas generated a staggering $187.5 billion in economic impact and supported 1.2 million jobs. The Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community program offers local governments and non-profit organizations the opportunity to showcase their commitment to tourism as an economic development strategy.

"The financial impact of millions of visitors to Texas destinations is critical to both the state and local economies," said Travel Texas Director Tim Fennell. "The Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community designation is an opportunity for communities across Texas to show their commitment to tourism and continue developing attractions and experiences that draw visitors to the Lone Star State."

The designation comes with several benefits for tourism entities seeking certification. These include the opportunity to strengthen relationships important for tourism development, educate local leaders on the importance of tourism, identify and prioritize locally driven strategies, and access resources provided by Travel Texas and other state government programs.

Travel and tourism play a vital role in the Texas economy, with travelers spending an estimated $91.7 billion in 2022. This spending generated $187.5 billion in revenue and created 1.2 million jobs with $67.6 billion in earnings.

For more information on the Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community program, interested communities can visit the official website at gov.texas.gov/tourism-friendly-texas.

The mission of Travel Texas is to promote Texas as a premier travel destination in out-of-state and international markets, generating non-Texan travel to the state and creating revenue and jobs for local communities and the state.

To learn more, click on this link: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-launches-new-tourism-friendly-texas-community-program