Texas Tourism Celebrates Texas Travel and Tourism Week, Launches travel matters sweepstakes

AUSTIN, Texas, April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of Texas' dynamic travel and tourism industry and its important contributions to the state economy, Gov. Rick Perry has designated May 3-11 as Texas Travel and Tourism Week, in conjunction with National Travel and Tourism Week. To celebrate all that the travel industry contributes to the Lone Star State, Texas Tourism is launching the Travel Matters Sweepstakes from May 3 – 11, which includes a chance to win a grand prize vacation pack to Schlitterbahn Water Parks' Texas destinations in New Braunfels, Galveston and South Padre Island.

"Texas Travel and Tourism Week encourages Texans to explore the many experiences and exciting attractions in their own backyard, while highlighting the important economic impact and benefits of the travel and tourism industry in our communities and our state," Texas Tourism Director Brad Smyth said. "Because the travel industry is an important part of our economy, travel matters to everyone who calls Texas home."

The Travel Matters Sweepstakes is courtesy of the Governor's Division of Economic Development and Tourism, Texas Historical Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Department of Transportation and Texas Commission on the Arts. For more information about the sweepstakes and how participants can enter, please visit www.facebook.com/texastourism.

Texas Tourism is also encouraging Texans to capture and share their favorite Lone Star State travel memories using the hashtag #TexasToDo. Users who include #TexasToDo on their photos and videos will be uploaded to Texas Tourism's online gallery on TravelTex.com/TexasToDo, which serves as a continuously updating Texas To Do List that provides suggestions on what to see and do from a local perspective. The first 500 to use #TexasToDo will receive a "Tex-pert" t-shirt in celebration of Texas Travel and Tourism Week.

Texas is a premier destination for domestic and international travelers, and the travel and tourism industry is one of the state's largest. Travel spending in Texas totaled an estimated $67 billion in 2013, an increase of 3 percent over 2012 and the highest level of travel spending recorded to date. This directly supported 599,000 jobs and generated nearly $4.7 billion in local and state taxes. 

Travel supports jobs across many industries, including leisure and hospitality, transportation, retail, trade services, finance, real estate, construction, insurance, government and others.

For more details about Texas Travel and Tourism Week activities statewide and about the economic impact of travel in Texas, please visit www.travel.state.tx.us.

To learn more about Texas travel events and destinations, or to order a free Texas State Travel Guide, please visit www.TravelTex.com,and connect with Texas Tourism on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

SOURCE Texas Tourism