The City of Denison has been recognized as a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community, according to an announcement from Governor Greg Abbott. The designation was awarded by Travel Texas after Denison completed the required certification process.
Governor Abbott highlighted the importance of tourism for the state and local economies. “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 Denison and Discover Denison 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.”
Denison now holds three certifications: Film Friendly Texas, Music Friendly Texas, and Tourism Friendly Texas.
Representative Shelley Luther commented on the achievement: “This certification isn’t just an accolade; it’s a powerful affirmation of the heart and hustle of our residents, who pour their passion into preserving our heritage while inviting the world to experience the magic of Denison.”
Denison Mayor Robert Crawley also spoke about what this recognition means for the city. “Denison’s story has always been one of resilience, hospitality, and Texas pride,” said Crawley. “Earning the Tourism Friendly Texas certification reflects the work our community puts into creating a city that people want to visit and return to time and again. From our award-winning downtown to Lake Texoma and everything in between, Denison offers something unique for everyone. This recognition affirms what we already know — Denison is a place where visitors feel welcome, our hometown spirit shines through, and tourism continues to strengthen both our community and our local economy.”
Jordan Starr, Denison’s Tourism Manager, added: “I’m thrilled to see Denison earn the Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community designation. It’s a milestone that reflects our commitment to thoughtful tourism development and shows that when visitors thrive, our hometown thrives too. Denison isn’t just open for tourists — it’s ready for them, with award-winning downtown charm, outdoor adventure, and genuine local hospitality that we’re excited to share with everyone who visits us.”
The Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community program is available for local governments or non-profit organizations leading tourism promotion efforts. The benefits include opportunities for relationship building important for tourism development, educating leaders about tourism’s significance in Texas, prioritizing locally driven strategies, and learning about resources provided by Travel Texas as well as other state programs supporting communities along with travel industry stakeholders.
More information about this program can be found at gov.texas.gov/tourism-friendly-texas.
Travel Texas operates within the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Office with a mission focused on promoting Texas as a travel destination outside its borders in order to boost revenue generation and job creation at both local community levels as well as statewide.
