The City of Denison has received the Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community designation from Travel Texas after completing a certification process. The recognition highlights the city’s commitment to expanding tourism as an economic strategy, supporting local job growth, and attracting more visitors both nationally and internationally.
Governor Greg Abbott commented on the significance of tourism in Texas: “Tourism is critical to both our local and state economies. 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 certifications as a Film Friendly Texas, Music Friendly Texas, and Tourism Friendly Texas community.
Representative Shelley Luther remarked, “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 stated, “Denison’s story has always been one of resilience, hospitality, and Texas pride. 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 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 program is available for local governments or nonprofit organizations leading tourism promotion efforts. Benefits include strengthening partnerships important for tourism development, educating leaders about its importance in the state economy, identifying strategies tailored locally, and accessing opportunities offered by Travel Texas as well as other government programs aimed at supporting communities involved in travel and tourism.
More information about the 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 out-of-state travel to Texas markets in order to generate revenue growth for communities statewide.
