The City of Arlington has been recognized as a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community, following completion of a certification process led by Travel Texas. This designation highlights the efforts of the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau to use tourism as a strategy for economic growth, job creation, and attracting visitors from across the country and internationally.
Governor Greg Abbott commented on the importance of tourism in Texas: “Tourism is critical to both our local and state economies,” said Governor Abbott. “Travelers to and within Texas generate almost $200 billion in annual economic impact and support 1.3 million jobs across the state. I congratulate the City of Arlington and the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau on earning this designation. All Texas communities are encouraged to apply to become a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community to further grow local tourism and jobs across our great state.”
Arlington now holds three certifications: Music Friendly Texas, Film Friendly Texas, and Tourism Friendly Texas.
State Representative David Cook praised Arlington’s achievement: “With its central location in the heart of North Texas and strong support for the arts, it’s no surprise Arlington has been named a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community,” said State Representative David Cook. “Arlington has now earned the trifecta: Music Friendly, Film Friendly, and Tourism Friendly. This achievement shows Arlington’s commitment to growth, creativity, and opportunity, and I’m proud to represent a city leading the way in Texas. I want to thank Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, the City of Arlington, the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau, and all those who worked diligently to earn this outstanding achievement.”
Mayor Jim Ross highlighted several major attractions that contribute to Arlington’s tourism sector: “We have all the tourism assets in Arlington needed to be a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community, including the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Six Flags Over Texas, the National Medal of Honor Museum, and outstanding arts and cultural amenities,” said City of Arlington Mayor Jim Ross. “What truly makes us tourism friendly, however, is the outstanding customer service provided by Arlington’s thousands of tourism and hospitality workers. They create the experiences necessary for Arlington’s 16 million annual visitors to return to our city time and again.”
The certification program is available for local governments or non-profit organizations responsible for promoting tourism development. Those achieving certification can build relationships vital for tourism growth, educate community leaders about tourism’s role in economic development, prioritize strategies tailored locally, and learn about opportunities from Travel Texas or other state programs that support both communities and travel industry initiatives. More information about this program can be found at gov.texas.gov/tourism-friendly-texas.
Travel Texas operates within the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Office with a mission focused on marketing Texas as a travel destination outside state borders—aiming to increase non-Texan visitation while supporting local economies through increased revenue generation.
