Denison -- Industry professionals understand the powerful impact travel and tourism can have on any region. For instance, 2010 visitor spending in Grayson County resulted in $2,190,000 in local taxes, $11,990,000 in state taxes and generated $190,550,000 in total spending. Travel and tourism is one of America's largest employers, supporting 14.4 million jobs nationwide.
This is big business and travelers stopping by Texas Travel Information Center in Denison last week got a big surprise: free hot dogs, cold drinks and ice cream courtesy of Texas Department of Transportation and travel industry representatives from North Texas.
The Texas Travel Information Center in Denison and the Texas Travel Information Center in Gainesville are both big players when it comes to dispensing brochures that highlight regional attractions, as well as popular tourist destinations throughout the Lone Star State.
According to Tray Turner, TxDOT Public Information Officer, both travel information centers average more than 30,000 visitors each month. Perhaps the biggest trend is that more families are traveling together, with two and three generations vacationing in search of family-friendly activities.
The event sponsored by Texas Department of Transportation on Friday, May 11 at Texas Travel Information Center in Denison was called Travel Rally Day and its purpose was to bring travel supporters together to shine a spotlight on travel's impact on local employment and the economy.
Denison Chamber of Commerce, Denison Main Street, Sherman Tourism, Harber Wildlife Museum, Eisenhower State Park, Eisenhower Historic Birthplace, Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge and Perrin AFB Museum had a chance to participate in Travel Rally Day.
While the big numbers tourism generates may surprise some people, even industry professionals were taken aback at just who might be traveling through Texoma on any given day. Denison Chamber representatives Anna McKinney and Crystal Betzer-McKee served a free hot dog to a visitor from Russia who was on her way to a granddaughter's graduation.
Meanwhile, less than a mile away on Red River in the tail waters of Lake Texoma, a seasoned fly fisherman was releasing a fish that fell victim to his offering.
Whether you are an international traveler, a veteran fisherman or a family in search weekend getaway, Texas Travel Information Center in Denison has information that can help plan every segment of a vacation.
Brochures are available for all seven regions in Texas. Texoma is located in the Prairies and Lakes Region, the state's largest region, and Texas Travel Information Center in Denison has a wealth of information regarding activities throughout the region.
Revolving displays highlight three specific activities and places. The first revolving display focuses on RV accommodations, state parks, Corps parks and national parks; the second display focuses on wineries, antiquing events, Texas Historical Commission sites and area trade days; the third revolving display is chock full of information about accommodations and discounts.
As North Texas enjoys a wonderful spring and with families already beginning summer vacations, Texas Department of Transportation's Travel Rally Day was a perfect opportunity to show that Texas is still The Friendly State and that Texoma has as much to offer as any part of the Lone Star State.
