Houston Daily

The City of Brownsville has been named a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community by Travel Texas, following the completion of a multi-step certification process. The designation highlights Visit Brownsville’s efforts to use tourism as a strategy for economic growth, local job creation, and attracting visitors from across the country and internationally.

Governor Greg Abbott recognized the significance of tourism in Texas and congratulated Brownsville on its achievement. “Tourism is critical to both our local and state economies,” said Governor Abbott. “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 Brownsville and Visit Brownsville 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.”

City of Brownsville Mayor John Cowen, Jr., expressed appreciation for the recognition: “We are honored to receive the Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community designation from Travel Texas,” he said. “This recognition resonates with our commitment to creating warm and memorable experiences for those who choose to make Brownsville their vacation spot in South Texas. Visitors to our city can enjoy the launch of Starship rockets at SpaceX to our world-renowned Gladys Porter Zoo and unique Mexican cuisine. And Brownsville remains the gateway to South Padre Island — right on the Gulf.”

Brownsville City Manager Helen Ramirez noted that collaboration among businesses, hospitality partners, and cultural institutions has driven growth in tourism: “Brownsville’s growing tourism industry is driven by strong collaboration between our local businesses, hospitality partners, and cultural institutions,” she said. “We are all united by a shared goal of creating unforgettable experiences for our guests. Our Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) plays a vital role in showcasing the rich diversity of attractions that define our city. I congratulate our CVB team for helping us achieve the Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community designation."

Malinalli Montesam, Assistant Director at Brownsville CVB, highlighted what this certification means for the city: “We are thrilled to receive the Tourism Friendly Texas certification, which recognizes Brownsville’s commitment to creating a welcoming, engaging, and accessible destination for all visitors,” she said. “This certification is a reflection of our city’s efforts to invest in tourism, elevate visitor experiences, and highlight the unique culture, nature, and history that make Brownsville a standout destination in Texas and the U.S.”

The program is available for local governments or non-profit organizations leading tourism promotion efforts within their communities. The benefits include building partnerships important for tourism development; educating leaders about tourism's importance; prioritizing locally driven strategies; as well as learning about resources offered by Travel Texas through programs such as gov.texas.gov/tourism-friendly-texas.

Travel Texas operates within the Governor's Economic Development & Tourism Office with a mission focused on marketing Texas as an attractive travel destination outside state borders—aiming both at generating out-of-state visitation as well as supporting revenue generation and job creation at community levels throughout https://gov.texas.gov/tourism-friendly-texas.