TEXAS ON TOUR Mobile Marketing Initiative Hits the Road Again to Bring Texas to Potential Visitors

High-Tech, Interactive Roadshow Features Virtual Reality, Green Screen Technology and Interactive Games

AUSTIN, Texas, May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Tourism is taking the state on the road again this year, with Texas on Tour (http://www.texasontour.com) - a high-tech, virtual reality roadshow. The 53-foot interactive experience will travel throughout the United States from mid May through October 2009, with 11 stops coast to coast.

Texas on Tour will kick off a six-month tour across the country at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on May 15. In addition to the virtual reality technology, green screens, and interactive games, this year Texas on Tour offers some exciting new components including a 30-foot dome theater that will project a short film showcasing the amazing landscapes, fun and history of the Lone Star State. The theater presentation will also include a trivia game where guests compete for prizes. Texas on Tour has also added double passenger kayaks allowing more guests to experience the virtual reality adventure through Texas' many waterways.

Texas on Tour transports the consumer to unique outdoor Texas experiences that are highly entertaining, educational and personalized - complete with live performances from Texas musicians, a virtual beach stroll, and a dome theater offering a glimpse of the seven diverse regions of Texas.

"Texas on Tour is traveling to 11 destinations across the U.S. in 2009 to promote tourism to Texas and give potential visitors an opportunity to experience some of the sights and sounds of the Lone Star State," said Julie Chase, Chief Marketing Officer for the Texas Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism Division.

Texas on Tour will be at the following fairs and festivals in 2009:

    Joint Services Open House      May 15-17            Andrews AFB, MD
    NYC - South Street Seaport     May 28-31            New York, NY
     (stand alone)
    Riverbend Festival             June 5-13            Chattanooga, TN
    Summerfest                     June 25-July 5       Milwaukee, WI
    Three Rivers Festival          July 11-19           Fort Wayne, IN
    AirVenture Oshkosh 2009        July 27-August 2     Oshkosh, WI
    Chicago - Navy Pier            August 14-16         Chicago, IL
     (stand alone)
    Illinois State Fair            August 20-23         Springfield, IL
    Colorado Balloon Classic       September 5-7        Colorado Springs, CO
    Los Angeles County Fair        September 11-20      Pomona, CA
    Albuquerque International      October 3-11         Albuquerque, NM
     Balloon Fiesta

For more information on all there is to see and experience in Texas, visit www.TravelTex.com or call 1-800-8888-TEX to order the Official Texas State Travel Guide and map.

Highlights from Texas on Tour

     --  Virtual Reality Kayak Adventure - Ride the Waterways of Texas
              Through a virtual kayak simulator, riders will travel through
              the rapids of the Big Bend Country canyons to Austin's Lady
              Bird Lake and continue on their journey to the serene Caddo
              Lake.  The journey ends on the rolling waves of the Gulf of
              Mexico.

     --  Green Screen Photo Experience  - Picture Yourself in Texas
              Visitors will be transported to the historic Alamo, the
              grandiose scenery of the Palo Duro Canyon, adventure-filled
              SeaWorld San Antonio or glamorous skylines of a Texas
              metropolis.  Through green screen technology, visitors can take
              a piece of Texas with them.

     --  Virtual Beach Stroll- Stroll Along the Texas Coast
              Visitors are transported to the beautiful beaches of Texas'
              magnificent coastline stretching 624 miles along the sun-kissed
              Gulf Coast.  The bountiful fishing, sparkling sands and major
              metropolitan areas such as Houston and Corpus Christi bring this
              virtual experience to life.

     --  Entertainment Stage
              Featuring live entertainment, Texas musicians, and interesting
              Texas trivia.

     --  Dome Projection Theater - Discover Texas
              Theater style setting where consumers can view all sides of
              Texas, from waterways to nightlife to adventure.  After a brief,
              informative and entertaining movie, visitors participate in a
              trivia game and have the chance to win prizes.

     --  Win a Trip for Two to Texas
              Visitors can enter to win a trip for two to Texas by registering
              online at www.texasontour.com through October 2009.

     --  Major Sponsors of Texas on Tour
              Dallas/Fort Worth Area Tourism Council
              San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau
              SeaWorld San Antonio

About Tourism in Texas

Tourism is one of the largest industries in Texas, supporting 534,000 jobs. In 2007, travelers spent almost $57 billion in Texas. Travel expenditures generated $2.8 billion in state taxes and $994 million in local taxes. For more information on Texas travel events and vacation destinations, visit www.TravelTex.com or for a free Texas State Travel Guide call 1-800-8888-TEX.

SOURCE Texas Tourism

RELATED LINKS
http://www.texasontour.com