A combination of historic preservation and tourism, this economic development initiative encourages communities to partner to promote Texas’ historic and cultural resources. These successful local preservation efforts, combined with statewide marketing of the areas as heritage regions, increase visitation to cultural and historic sites and bring more dollars to Texas communities, especially rural ones.
History:
The Texas Heritage Trails Program (THTP) is based around 10 scenic driving trails created in 1968 by Gov. John Connally and the Texas Highway Department as a marketing tool. The trails were established in conjunction with the HemisFair, an international exposition that commemorated the 250th anniversary of the founding of San Antonio.
In 1997, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) was charged by the State Legislature to create a statewide heritage tourism program. The THC based their program on the original driving trails, creating ten heritage regions: Brazos Trail Region, Forest Trail Region, Forts Trail Region, Hill Country Trail Region, Lakes Trail Region, Independence Trail Region, Mountain Trail Region, Pecos Trail Region, Plains Trail Region and Tropical Trail Region.
Today, the trails serve merely as a backbone for the THC’s award-winning regional tourism initiative. The program’s focus has broadened to include heritage tourism attractions both on and off the trail, and communities throughout each region are encouraged to participate in the program.
What We Do:
Provide technical, financial and marketing assistance to heritage regions across Texas. Since 1997, the program has revitalized local economies, increased visitation to cultural and historic sites and raised the awareness of the importance of historic preservation to the tourism industry.
The THTP has received funding through the Preserve America initiative to develop a new training and assistance component of the program. The goal of the project is to provide in-depth training for community representatives on the successful development of heritage tourism. Funding will be used to develop a heritage tourism guidebook and workshop series.
Benefits of the THTP:
- Tourism evaluations of historic and cultural sites
- Grants to fund a full-time regional coordinator as funding allows
- Matching grants for projects that enhance the heritage tourism experience
- Full-color travel guide
- A regional web site that is part of a suite of heritage tourism web sites.
- Advertising and media support
- Networking opportunities with other heritage tourism organizations
How to Become Involved:
Individuals and communities are always welcome to participate in the program. For more information please contact your regional coordinator. If you are not sure which region you are in, click here for a county to heritage region list.
Resources:
Heritage Tourism Fact Sheet (pdf)
Principles of Heritage Tourism
Four Steps to Heritage Tourism Development
Attract More Heritage Tourists to Your Community
Heritage Tourism Works for Texas (pdf)
Marketing Basics
How to Reach Us:
Tourism and marketing specialists are available to answer questions regarding the program or to consult on heritage tourism issues. For more information, contact the assistant state coordinator or call 512.463.6092.