The City of Plano was recently designed a Tourism-Friendly Texas-Certified Community, a designation given by Travel Texas to cities who encourage communities to pursue tourism as an economic development strategy.
“Tourism is critical to both our local and state economies, supporting one in 11 jobs across Texas,” said Gov. Greg Abbott. “Travelers to and within Texas generate more than $193.8 billion in annual economic impact and support 1.3 million jobs across the state. Every region of this great state offers endless opportunities to experience the natural beauty, rich history, and true Texas hospitality that draws visitors to our communities. I congratulate the City of Plano and Visit Plano 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.”
To obtain the designation, a representative of the City had to sign a letter of intent, complete an assessment of stakeholders and organization members and complete an online training.
“Plano is proud to receive the Tourism Friendly Texas Community certification from Travel Texas,” said Mayor John Muns. “This recognition highlights our city’s commitment to providing an exceptional experience for visitors and showcasing all that makes Plano a vibrant destination. From our diverse dining scene and cultural attractions to our world-class events, we remain dedicated to welcoming travelers and creating unforgettable memories for all who visit.”
In its inaugural year, Plano joined Amarillo, Abilene, Mineral Wells, Mansfield, Frisco, Garland, Waxahachie, Tyler, Corsicana, Waco, Nacogdoches, Menard, Marble Falls, Killeen, Bandera, New Braunfels, Castroville, Giddings, Brenham, The Woodlands, Pearland, Galveston, Lake Jackson, Freeport, Clute, Surfside Beach, Corpus Christi, Port Aransas and Ingleside.
An adjacent study of the impact of travel on Texas cities showed that Plano experienced the following increases from 2022-2023:
- 12% increase in Direct Travel Spending (purchases by travelers during trip)
- 3% increase in Direct Employment (employment of workers whose wage or benefits are attributable to travel expenditures)
- 3.6% increase in Direct Earnings (earnings of employees and owners of businesses that are attributable to travel expenditures)
- 9.9% increase in Direct Tax Receipts (tax receipts by state, county and municipalities on applicable travel-related purchases)
Though these are far from the largest increases in the last five years, the numbers are reflective of a return to normalcy after a spike following the reopening of tourist activities post-pandemic.
“Receiving the Tourism Friendly Texas Community certification is a significant milestone for Plano, as it underscores the vital role tourism plays in our local economy,” said Plano Director of Economic Development Doug McDonald. “This achievement reflects our commitment to fostering a welcoming environment for visitors while supporting our businesses and community. Tourism drives growth, creates jobs, and enhances the vibrancy of our city, and we are excited to continue building on this momentum.”
