Texarkana has recently earned a new accolade from the state of Texas, marking a significant recognition for the city's efforts in the realm of tourism. Governor Greg Abbott announced Texarkana's designation as a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community, a title awarded by Travel Texas after a rigorous certification process. This prestigious title was decided upon as a testament to Visit Texarkana's dedication to using tourism as an engine for economic expansion, job growth, and attracting more visitors from around the globe.
"Tourism is critical to both our local and state economies," Governor Abbott stated, according to the Office of the Texas Governor, underlining the immense role that travel plays within Texas. As reported by the governor's office, tourism-related activities generate nearly $200 billion annually and support about 1.3 million jobs across the state. The governor expressed congratulations to both the City of Texarkana and Visit Texarkana for achieving this certification and encouraged other communities in Texas to pursue the same goal to amplify local tourism and employment. Texarkana stands out as both a Film Friendly Texas and Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community.
Emphasizing the inherent hospitality of the locale, Representative Gary VanDeaver conveyed his pride in the efforts of Visit Texarkana and the daily work of locals in making the city a place tourists want to repeatedly visit. Texarkana Mayor Bob Bruggeman echoed these sentiments, reiterating the importance of tourism to the regional economy and the central role of partnerships that contribute to the city's prosperity: "Texarkana is proud to be recognized as a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community," he stated, according to the Office of the Texas Governor, suggesting a bright future for the city's tourism and livability.
Mayor Pro Tem Jean Matlock, interviewed by the governor's office, noted that Texarkana's newest certification reflects its commitment to hospitality, collaboration, and a shared sense of community pride. Stakeholders in Texarkana's tourism industry are expected to benefit from the certification through improved relationships key to development efforts, education of local leadership on tourism's significance, and access to opportunities provided by state programs like those offered by Travel Texas.
For communities interested in achieving similar recognition, the Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community program details can be found on the Travel Texas website. This initiative is part of the broader mission of the Governor's Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, which aims to market Texas as a premier destination, luring non-local visitors that bolster local economies and, by extension, fortify the state's prosperity overall.
