Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott has extended his congratulations to Frisco, Texas, for earning the title of a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community. This new certification, awarded by Travel Texas, marks the program's inaugural year. It highlights Frisco's ongoing efforts to leverage tourism as a strategy to boost the local economy, provide jobs, and attract both national and international visitors.

"Tourism is critical to both our local and state economies, supporting one in 11 jobs across Texas," commented Governor Abbott. He cited the significant economic impact that tourism has on the state, generating over $193 billion annually and supporting 1.3 million jobs. Governor Abbott encouraged other Texas communities to consider seeking the certification to expand local tourism and job opportunities.

According to Travel Texas Director Tim Fennell, Frisco stands out as both a "sports powerhouse and a family-friendly destination." He highlighted the city's noteworthy attractions, ranging from sports at The Star and Toyota Stadium to family experiences at KidZania and the National Videogame Museum.

Mayor Jeff Cheney voiced pride in the community’s new designation, emphasizing the volume of approximately 7.5 million annual visitors the city hosts. Cheney mentioned various local attractions, including Stonebriar Mall, sporting events with Frisco RoughRiders and FC Dallas, as well as cultural spots like the National Videogame Museum.

Visit Frisco Executive Director Marla Roe expressed excitement regarding the certification. "Frisco has long been a destination for families, sporting events, concerts, and more," she remarked.

The Tourism Friendly Texas Community program is open to local governments or nonprofit organizations spearheading tourism promotion. The initiative aims to foster local economic development through strategic tourism planning and relationship-building, playing a critical role in enhancing the state's status as a travel destination.

Travel Texas, functioning under the Governor’s Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, strives to market Texas as a premier travel spot, targeting out-of-state and international audiences to drive economic benefits statewide.