Tourism is big business; bigger than most people realize. Texas offers a wonderful variety of attraction and million of tourists flock to them every year. It is the third largest industry in Texas and the Lone Star state is the second most visited state in the country.

Heritage Tourism

Preserves our past by:

• Protecting historic, cultural and natural resources
• Developing underutilized historic resources
• Identifying the history of a community or area

Strengthens our community by:

• Forming long-lasting partnerships
• Restoring community pride based on heritage

Builds our economy by:

• Generating jobs and tax revenues
• Increasing property values
• Increasing retail sales

Linking tourism and preservation is a win-win opportunity. Because heritage tourism is the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry, cities that preserve and promote their heritage stand to attract more tourists. Heritage travelers spend more money and stay longer tan other types of travelers. Communities that can justify preservation efforts by showing increased revenues as a result of tourism have a great opportunity of preserving what makes Texas unique.

*Information selected for this section quoted from Texas Historical Commission- Texas Heritage Trails Program (A Regional Tourism Initiative) brochure 2005