Pearland Earns ‘Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community’ Designation
Governor Greg Abbott congratulated Pearland today on being named the seventh “Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community” by Travel Texas in the program’s inaugural year. Pearland earned this designation after completing a multi-step certification process, demonstrating Visit Pearland’s dedication to growing tourism as a strategy for economic development, job creation, and attracting visitors from across the U.S. and beyond.
“Tourism is critical to both our local and state economies, supporting one in 11 jobs across Texas,” Governor Abbott said. He highlighted that tourism generated over $193.8 billion in economic impact in Texas and supported 1.3 million jobs statewide in 2023. “I congratulate the City of Pearland and Visit Pearland on earning this designation. All Texas communities are encouraged to apply to become a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community.”
Travel Texas Director Tim Fennell praised Pearland’s appeal, stating, “From locally loved eateries and boutiques to expansive parks for geocaching, birdwatching, and play, Pearland delivers memorable experiences for visitors of all ages.”
State Representative Dennis Paul also congratulated Pearland, commending the city’s commitment to tourism and economic growth, while Mayor Kevin Cole noted the “valuable work” Visit Pearland has invested in boosting local tourism.
Visit Pearland Executive Director Tracy Rohrbacher shared her excitement about Pearland’s future as a destination, emphasizing the economic growth driven by increasing visitation.
The Tourism Friendly Texas Community program is open to local governments or non-profit organizations that serve as the lead entity for tourism promotion and development efforts. Benefits of the designation for tourism entities seeking certification on behalf of their community include the opportunity to strengthen or establish relationships important for tourism development, educate local leaders on the importance of tourism to the state, identify and prioritize locally driven strategies, and learn more about opportunities provided by Travel Texas and other state government programs available to support both communities and the travel and tourism industry. For more information on the Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community program, visit: gov.texas.gov/tourism-friendly-texas
The mission of Travel Texas in the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Office is to enhance and extend local economic development efforts by marketing Texas as a premier travel destination in out-of-state and international markets, generating non-Texan travel to Texas, and creating revenue and jobs for local communities and the state.
