City of Plano recognized as Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community

We’re excited to share that Plano has been officially recognized as a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community by Travel Texas! This designation is a significant milestone for our City, reinforcing our commitment to growing tourism, supporting local businesses and creating new job opportunities. It also highlights the hard work and dedication of our community leaders, local businesses and Visit Plano in making our City a welcoming and vibrant destination.

“Plano is proud to receive the Tourism Friendly Texas Community certification from Travel Texas,” Mayor John Muns said. “This recognition highlights our City's commitment to providing an exceptional experience for visitors and showcasing all that makes Plano a vibrant destination. From our diverse dining scene and cultural attractions to our world-class events, we remain dedicated to welcoming travelers and creating unforgettable memories for all who visit.”

Governor Greg Abbott spoke to the impact of tourism on the state, stating, “Tourism is critical to both our local and state economies, supporting one in 11 jobs across Texas. Travelers to and within Texas generate more than $193.8 billion in annual economic impact and support 1.3 million jobs across the state.” He also congratulated the City of Plano and Visit Plano on receiving this designation, encouraging other Texas communities to invest in tourism to help grow local economies and create jobs.

Beyond the honor of being certified, this designation brings real benefits to our community. It strengthens our ability to market Plano as a top destination, build valuable partnerships in the tourism industry and create even more opportunities for local businesses. Tourism plays a key role in driving economic growth, generating revenue and enhancing the quality of life for those of us who live and work here. By investing in our City’s visitor experience, we’re not only attracting travelers but also ensuring a thriving economy for years to come.

“Receiving the Tourism Friendly Texas Community certification is a significant milestone for Plano, as it underscores the vital role tourism plays in our local economy,” Plano Director of Economic Development Doug McDonald said. “This achievement reflects our commitment to fostering a welcoming environment for visitors while supporting our businesses and community. Tourism drives growth, creates jobs, and enhances the vibrancy of our City and we are excited to continue building on this momentum.”

This recognition affirms what we already know—Plano is a premier destination for both business and leisure travelers. Whether it’s our vibrant downtown, world-class dining, renowned shopping or beloved events like the Plano Balloon Festival, our City offers something for everyone. Our parks and green spaces provide a perfect escape, while our state-of-the-art sports facilities attract athletes and spectators from across the country. As we continue to grow, this designation helps us share the best of Plano with even more visitors.

The Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community program is a new designation created to encourage communities across Texas to pursue tourism as an economic development strategy and provide resources and recognition for those efforts. The program is open to local governments or nonprofit organizations that serve as the lead for tourism promotion and development efforts in the community (e.g., Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), Chamber of Commerce). These organizations are often responsible for?administering local hotel occupancy tax. Plano was recognized in the inaugural year of the program after completing the multi-step certification process.