Governor Greg Abbott has recognized the City of Mexia for achieving the Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community designation from Travel Texas. This certification follows a multi-step process and highlights Mexia’s focus on using tourism to support economic growth, increase local job opportunities, and attract more visitors to both the city and the state.
“Tourism is critical to both our local and state economies,” Governor Abbott said. “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 Mexia 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.”
Senator Charles Schwertner commented, “At the heart of Mexia is warm hospitality and authentic Texas heritage. This designation will attract new visitors, support our small businesses, and strengthen Mexia’s place as a valued destination in our region.”
Representative Angelia Orr added, “As the State Representative for the City of Mexia, I could not be more proud of the city’s designation as a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community. This achievement is the result of the hard work and dedication of the families, local officials, and small business owners who take pride in their community. Thank you to Governor Abbott for recognizing how special this town is, and I encourage everyone to come experience what Mexia has to offer.”
Mayor Geary Smith stated, “Mexia is honored to be recognized as a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community. We’re excited to welcome more visitors to experience our rich heritage, vibrant music culture, and small-town charm with big-hearted people.”
Stacey Bush, Executive Director of Mexia Economic Development Corporation said, “Earning the Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community designation is a key step in Mexia’s ongoing efforts to drive economic growth through tourism. As an economic development organization, we recognize that attracting visitors not only supports local businesses but also creates opportunities for long-term investment in our community.”
The Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community program allows local governments or non-profit organizations leading tourism promotion efforts to seek certification. The program helps these entities build partnerships for tourism development, educate leaders about its value for Texas’ economy, identify priorities based on local needs, and access resources from Travel Texas and other state programs aimed at supporting communities along with travel industry growth. Additional details about the program can be found at gov.texas.gov/tourism-friendly-texas.
Travel Texas operates within the Governor’s Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office with a mission focused on marketing Texas as a leading travel destination outside its borders—aiming to draw out-of-state tourists while supporting job creation and revenue generation locally.
