Texas Gets It Done
While 2017 numbers have yet to be released, Canada remains Texas’ second best international market, pushing the 500,000-mark for visitor volume in 2016, a number that is expected to increase by 11% by 2021.
Key to this is access with numerous direct flights from Canada to destinations across the Lone Star State, including new for 2017 – Vancouver to Dallas Forth Worth (DFW), Toronto to San Antonio and Montreal to DFW.
During a mini road trip to Canada, Texas tourism officials were in Toronto yesterday (March 6) to update the trade on all things Texas.
Speaking with PressToday, Debra Bustos, of the Office of the Governor Economic Development & Tourism, said while it’s been a bit of a challenge, thanks mostly to a weak Canadian dollar, Canada remains a very important market for the state.
“And don’t forget, you get more bang for your buck in Texas,” she said.
It was noted that communities affected by Hurricane Harvey in August, such as the small Gulf Coast communities of Port Aransas and Rockport, have rebounded and “are open for business.”
Officials noted that as one of the United States’ largest states, Texas is very diverse, offering seven regions and “something for everyone,” including a vast music scene, expansive culinary experiences, rafting, kite boarding and authentic “cowboy” experiences such as taking part on a cattle drive.
Partners taking part in the road show, which continues today in Vancouver, included Fredericksburg, Houston, Lubrock and San Antonio.
The big news for San Antonio, home of The Alamo and River Walk (pictured below), is that it is celebrating its Tricentennial (300 years) this year with year-long special events and festivities taking place.
For more on the Lone Star State, watch for upcoming issues of Travel Courier and Canadian Travel Press.
Pictured above is the Texas delegation, (l-r), Debra Bustos, Texas Tourism, Katherine White, Visit Lubbock, Sana Keller, Visit San Antonio (Canada), Rosalyn Hunter, Texas Tourism (Canada), Sean Doerre, Fredericksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Celia Morales, Visit Houston.
(top photo courtesy of Dan Galbraith)
