The City of Texarkana has been named a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community by Travel Texas, following the completion of a multi-step certification process. This designation highlights Visit Texarkana’s efforts to use tourism as a strategy for economic growth, job creation, and attracting visitors both nationally and internationally.
Governor Greg Abbott commented on the importance of tourism in Texas, stating: “Tourism is critical to both our local and state economies. 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 Texarkana and Visit Texarkana 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.”
Texarkana now holds both Film Friendly Texas and Tourism Friendly Texas certifications.
Representative Gary VanDeaver said: “Texarkana has always been a place where folks feel welcome, and this certification just puts a spotlight on what our community does best. I’m proud of Visit Texarkana and everyone who works hard every day to make our corner of Texas a place people want to come back to again and again.”
Mayor Bob Bruggeman added: “Texarkana is proud to be recognized as a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community. This honor underscores the importance of tourism in driving our local economy and strengthening the regional partnerships that make our city thrive. We look forward to continuing our efforts to showcase Texarkana’s welcoming spirit and the many opportunities that make it a great place to live, work, and visit.”
Mayor Pro Tem Jean Matlock also remarked: “This certification is a reflection of Texarkana’s commitment to hospitality, collaboration, and community pride. We have so much to offer visitors from our unique attractions to our local culture, and this recognition highlights the teamwork and dedication that go into making Texarkana a destination people want to experience again and again.”
The Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community program is available for local governments or non-profit organizations leading tourism promotion efforts. The benefits include building relationships important for tourism development, educating leaders about tourism’s significance for the state, identifying locally driven strategies, and learning about resources provided by Travel Texas.
Travel Texas operates within the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Office with the goal of marketing Texas as a travel destination outside the state while supporting local economies through increased visitor spending.
The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott has supported initiatives like community certifications through Travel Texas as part of its broader focus on job creation, economic opportunity, education enhancement, individual liberties protection, parental empowerment in schooling decisions, southern border security measures such as Operation Lone Star, collaborations with companies like Southwest Airlines for economic expansion projects, child sex trafficking prevention programs, among others (https://gov.texas.gov/). Since being elected in 2014 (https://gov.texas.gov/), Governor Abbott has led an office recognized nationally—including his listing among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024 (https://gov.texas.gov/)—and headquartered at Austin’s State Insurance Building (https://gov.texas.gov/).
For more information about the Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community program visit gov.texas.gov/tourism-friendly-texas.
