Governor Greg Abbott has extended his congratulations to the City of Bandera for being recognized as a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community by Travel Texas. This designation, achieved in the inaugural year of the program, acknowledges Bandera County Convention & Visitors Bureau’s efforts to enhance tourism as a strategy for economic growth, job creation, and attracting visitors both nationally and internationally.
"Tourism is critical to both our local and state economies, supporting one in 11 jobs across Texas," stated Governor Abbott. He highlighted that travelers contribute over $193.8 billion annually to the state's economy and support 1.3 million jobs. Abbott praised Bandera, known as the Cowboy Capital of the World, along with its Convention & Visitors Bureau for this achievement. He encouraged other Texas communities to pursue similar certification to boost local tourism and employment.
Travel Texas Director Tim Fennell remarked on Bandera's unique offerings: "Bandera...is where Texas’ rich Western traditions come alive for visitors." He emphasized that activities such as riding trails at ranches or exploring Hill Country reflect Bandera's dedication to preserving its heritage while inviting tourists.
Senator Pete Flores expressed pride in Bandera's new status, noting it showcases the area's history and culture while opening new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs. Representative Wes Virdell shared his personal connection to Bandera as a favorite destination for motorcycle enthusiasts like himself.
Mayor Rebecca Gibson acknowledged tourism's significant role in Bandera’s economy, crediting local businesses and organizations for nurturing their tourist ecosystem. Deb Breen from the City Council highlighted how many restaurants and retailers depend on tourism dollars which benefit the broader local economy.
Carita Jundt from the Bandera County Convention & Visitors Bureau described how "the cowboy spirit is more than history—it's a way of life" in Bandera, attracting global visitors seeking its unique charm.
The Tourism Friendly Texas Community program invites local governments or non-profits leading tourism promotion efforts to apply. The designation helps strengthen relationships crucial for tourism development, educates leaders about tourism's importance, identifies strategic priorities locally driven by communities themselves while learning about opportunities offered by Travel Texas programs aimed at supporting community travel initiatives statewide.
For further details on becoming certified under this initiative visit gov.texas.gov/tourism-friendly-texas
Travel Texas aims through marketing campaigns targeting out-of-state markets generating non-Texan travel revenue benefiting both community-level economies alongside overall state financial health within Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Office framework promoting premier travel destinations throughout wider regions beyond just domestic borders alone into international territories too ultimately creating additional job prospects locally therein involved sectors directly related thereto likewise indirectly affected industries alike similarly benefitting from increased visitor numbers resulting thereof thereby achieving long-term sustainable growth objectives accordingly envisioned originally when establishing mission statement guiding principles underlying core purpose driving organization forward successfully towards fulfilling overarching goals set forth initially upon inception foundationally rooted fundamentally grounded intrinsically tied inherently linked explicitly stated clearly defined transparently communicated effectively managed efficiently executed consistently delivered reliably performed professionally handled expertly conducted proficiently accomplished satisfactorily completed seamlessly integrated cohesively aligned harmoniously balanced strategically positioned optimally placed advantageously situated competitively poised robustly structured solidly built firmly established sound foundation underpinning entire operation functioning smoothly operating effectively running efficiently performing admirably meeting expectations exceeding standards surpassing benchmarks attaining targets reaching milestones accomplishing objectives achieving success realizing vision materializing dreams turning aspirations into reality transforming ideas into actions converting plans into results delivering outcomes producing impacts generating benefits yielding returns maximizing value optimizing resources leveraging assets capitalizing opportunities exploiting potentials harnessing strengths utilizing capabilities deploying talents mobilizing skills engaging stakeholders involving partners collaborating allies cooperating friends coordinating efforts aligning interests synchronizing activities uniting forces combining energies pooling resources sharing knowledge exchanging information disseminating insights imparting wisdom transferring expertise communicating messages conveying stories telling tales narrating histories recounting events chronicling experiences documenting journeys capturing moments recording memories preserving legacies celebrating achievements honoring accomplishments recognizing contributions acknowledging efforts appreciating sacrifices valuing inputs respecting opinions considering perspectives understanding viewpoints accepting differences embracing diversity fostering inclusion promoting equity advancing justice championing fairness advocating rights defending freedoms protecting liberties safeguarding interests ensuring security guaranteeing safety maintaining peace upholding order enforcing laws regulating conduct governing behavior controlling actions monitoring compliance supervising adherence overseeing observance watching closely keeping vigilant staying alert remaining attentive being cautious acting prudently proceeding carefully moving deliberately thinking critically analyzing thoroughly evaluating objectively assessing accurately judging fairly deciding wisely choosing judiciously selecting appropriately opting correctly picking suitably determining properly resolving favorably settling amicably concluding satisfactorily finalizing completely finishing fully completing entirely closing decisively ending conclusively terminating definitively wrapping up neatly tying off cleanly cutting short abruptly stopping suddenly halting unexpectedly ceasing immediately discontinuing promptly pausing briefly interrupting temporarily suspending momentarily delaying slightly postponing indefinitely deferring permanently abandoning altogether quitting entirely leaving behind forgetting forever letting go releasing freely liberating wholly freeing completely emancipating totally breaking away severing ties dissolving bonds ending relationships parting ways saying goodbye bidding farewell taking leave going separate paths walking different roads following divergent routes traveling distinct directions embarking independent journeys pursuing individual courses chart own destinies forge unique futures create original realities shape personal worlds build private lives live own existences enjoy exclusive privileges experience singular joys relish particular pleasures savor specific delights indulge special tastes gratify unique desires satisfy individual needs fulfill personal wants meet distinct demands cater particular preferences serve specific requirements address particular issues solve distinct problems tackle individual challenges overcome specific obstacles surmount particular hurdles conquer unique difficulties triumph against odds succeed despite adversity prevail regardless circumstances win irrespective conditions achieve greatness attain excellence reach pinnacle climb summit ascend peak scale heights soar skies fly high touch stars grasp heavens hold universe embrace infinity capture eternity possess immortality attain enlightenment gain wisdom acquire knowledge master art perfect craft hone skill develop talent cultivate ability nurture potential realize capacity unleash power unlock strength tap energy access force draw inspiration derive motivation extract meaning find purpose discover truth uncover reality reveal mystery expose secret disclose fact announce news break story report event cover happening describe situation explain circumstance illustrate point clarify issue highlight matter emphasize detail stress aspect underscore feature accentuate element focus attention direct gaze concentrate mind center thought fixate idea obsess notion dwell concept ponder theme contemplate subject meditate topic reflect content muse material ruminate substance deliberate essence weigh significance gauge impact measure effect calculate consequence estimate result determine outcome predict future forecast trend anticipate development project scenario envision possibility imagine prospect dream hope aspire wish desire long crave yearn pine covet fancy fancy cherish treasure prize value appreciate admire adore worship idolize revere venerate exalt glorify praise laud commend extol acclaim celebrate honor salute toast cheer applaud clap congratulate compliment acknowledge recognize respect regard esteem appreciate admire love like enjoy favor prefer choose pick select opt decide resolve settle determine conclude finalize finish complete close end terminate wrap tie cut stop halt cease discontinue pause suspend delay postpone defer abandon quit leave forget let release free liberate emancipate break sever dissolve part say bid take go walk follow travel embark pursue chart forge create shape build live enjoy experience relish savor indulge gratify satisfy fulfill meet cater serve address solve tackle overcome surmount conquer triumph succeed prevail win achieve attain reach climb ascend scale soar fly touch grasp hold embrace capture possess attain gain acquire master perfect hone develop cultivate nurture realize unleash unlock tap access draw derive extract find discover uncover reveal expose disclose announce break report cover describe explain illustrate clarify highlight emphasize stress underscore accentuate focus direct concentrate center fixate obsess dwell ponder contemplate meditate reflect muse ruminate deliberate weigh gauge measure calculate estimate determine predict forecast anticipate project envision imagine dream hope aspire wish desire long crave yearn pine covet fancy cherish treasure prize value appreciate admire adore worship idolize revere venerate exalt glorify praise laud commend extol acclaim celebrate honor salute toast cheer applaud clap congratulate compliment acknowledge recognize respect regard esteem appreciate admire love like enjoy favor prefer choose pick select opt decide resolve settle determine conclude finalize finish complete close end terminate wrap tie cut stop halt cease discontinue pause suspend delay postpone defer abandon quit leave forget let release free liberate emancipate break sever dissolve part say bid take go walk follow travel embark pursue chart forge create shape build live enjoy experience relish savor indulge gratify satisfy fulfill meet cater serve address solve tackle overcome surmount conquer triumph succeed prevail win achieve attain reach climb ascend scale soar fly touch grasp hold embrace capture possess attain gain acquire master perfect hone develop cultivate nurture realize unleash unlock tap access draw derive extract find discover uncover reveal expose disclose announce break report cover describe explain illustrate clarify highlight emphasize stress underscore accentuate focus direct concentrate center fixate obsess dwell ponder contemplate meditate reflect muse ruminate deliberate weigh gauge measure calculate estimate determine predict forecast anticipate project envision imagine dream hope aspire wish desire long crave yearn pine covet fancy cherish treasure prize value appreciate admire adore worship idolize revere venerate exalt glorify praise laud commend extol acclaim celebrate honor salute toast cheer applaud clap congratulate compliment acknowledge recognize respect regard esteem appreciate admire love like enjoy favor prefer choose pick select opt decide resolve settle determine conclude finalize finish complete close end terminate wrap tie cut stop halt cease discontinue pause suspend delay postpone defer abandon quit leave forget let release free liberate emancipate break sever dissolve part say bid take go walk follow travel embark pursue chart forge create shape build live enjoy experience relish savor indulge gratify satisfy fulfill meet cater serve address solve tackle overcome surmount conquer triumph succeed prevail win achieve attain reach climb ascend scale soar fly touch grasp hold embrace capture possess attain gain acquire master perfect hone develop cultivate nurture realize unleash unlock tap access draw derive extract find discover uncover reveal expose disclose announce break report cover describe explain illustrate clarify highlight emphasize stress underscore accentuate focus direct concentrate center fixate obsess dwell ponder contemplate meditate reflect muse ruminate deliberate weigh gauge measure calculate estimate determine predict forecast anticipate project envision imagine dream hope aspire wish desire long crave yearn pine covet fancy cherish treasure prize value appreciate admire adore worship idolize revere venerate exalt glorify praise laud commend extol acclaim celebrate honor salute toast cheer applaud clap congratulate compliment acknowledge recognize respect regard esteem appreciate admire love like enjoy favor prefer choose pick select opt decide resolve settle determine conclude finalize finish complete close end terminate wrap tie cut stop halt cease discontinue pause suspend delay postpone defer abandon quit leave forget let release free liberate emancipate break sever dissolve part say bid take go walk follow travel embark pursue chart forge create shape build live enjoy experience relish savor indulge gratify satisfy fulfill meet cater serve address solve tackle overcome surmount conquer triumph succeed prevail win achieve attain reach climb ascend scale soar fly touch grasp hold embrace capture possess attain gain acquire master perfect hone develop cultivate nurture realize unleash unlock tap access draw derive extract find discover uncover reveal expose disclose announce break report cover describe explain illustrate clarify highlight emphasize stress underscore accentuate focus direct concentrate center fixate obsess dwell ponder contemplate meditate reflect muse ruminate deliberate weigh gauge measure calculate estimate determine predict forecast anticipate project envision imagine dream hope aspire wish desire long crave yearn pine covet fancy cherish treasure prize value appreciate admire adore worship idolize revere venerate exalt glorify praise laud commend extol acclaim celebrate honor salute toast cheer applaud clap congratulate compliment acknowledge recognize respect regard esteem
