Perhaps the one thing that most people bemoan is the lack of time, money, and available windows with which to travel more. It is this inherent need to get out into the world that has made Texas tourism boom for quite some time now. In fact, looking over the state’s figures with regards to traveler spending habits, boom might be a bit of an understatement.
But as with any type of travel boom that takes place, it is always important to answer the all-important question of “why” the spike is happening now. Well, technically, Texas has had a tourism boom for a few decades, but it has been in the last few years that more and more people have meandered over to the Lone Star State to see what all of the hubbub is about.
One of the primary reasons we are seeing more travelers in Texas is that for all of the general stereotypes that exist about hitching posts and tumbleweeds, Texas is actually a pretty diverse bit of land. You can travel in just about any direction, and you will find very different types of vegetation, elevation, and arguably even climate. So, whether you’re looking for more tropical weather, a coastal variation, forest-like areas, and even some diversity in plains areas, Texas has you covered.
Texas has also been pretty big in terms of drawing both national and international brands to the state to set-up either a main headquarters or a regional satellite office/headquarters. It is no secret that Texas has tried to maintain a friendly relationship with businesses, offering some of the largest incentives to businesses in the form of tax breaks and subsidies. This tends to bring businesses into the state, thereby bringing more job creation. Given the fluctuation of the employment rate across the U.S., it’s no surprise that many would flock to Texas to find employment. It may not be tourism in the traditional sense, but then again, Texas has never been one to be like the rest.
The Lone Star State has also been big when it comes to providing a wide array of big cities across the board. This seems a bit odd to think about, but consider most states are much smaller in terms of their geographic size, and inevitably, there may be only one or two major cities in the entire state, one of which would be the capital city. Texas, however, happens to have major cities and areas spread out throughout the entirety of the state. You have the capital city of Austin, which is home to the University of Texas. You also have its neighbor just to the south in San Antonio, one of the oldest cities in the state. You have the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, and you also have Houston, both areas who’ve always had a hand in the state’s big business. You also have the economic prowess of the Rio Grande Valley (the southern tip of the state). Each area provides tremendous opportunities for leisure across all industries, and for the truly adventurous road-tripper, you could make it one heck of a road-trip across the state as each of these areas are separated from each other by about 3-5 hours.
Texas tourism is booming, but then again, it’s been booming for quite some time. It may just be the right time for you to head on down to check out what many others have known for some time – Texas rocks.
