Published on August 30, 2025
By: Tuhin Sarkar
Williamson County joins El Paso, Galveston, Tarrant, Travis, Bexar, and Dallas successful boosting Texas tourism pinch manufacture employment and nan leisure recreation market. Together, these counties successful US showcase nan spot of Texas arsenic a visitant economy. Williamson County is driving maturation done sports tourism, while El Paso blends cross-border recreation pinch events.
Galveston thrives connected cruise and formation tourism, and Tarrant excels pinch stadiums and taxable parks. Travis, anchored by Austin, builds connected civilization and meetings, while Bexar highlights San Antonio’s heritage. Dallas focuses connected conventions but pushes leisure travel. This agreed momentum is shaping a stronger tourism early for Texas.
Key Facts
- Texas visitant spending (2024): $97.5 billion nonstop spending; astir $200 billion full impact.
- Jobs supported: About 1.3 cardinal Texans employed successful tourism.
- Visitor volumes (2024): 67 cardinal in-state trips, 53 cardinal out-of-state trips, and 111 cardinal time trips.
- Trip purpose: About 40% of visitors came for leisure/vacation.
Texas Tourism Reaches New Heights
Texas has ever been a authorities of size and ambition. In 2025, its tourism manufacture shows nan aforesaid qualities. New figures corroborate that Texas is 1 of nan astir successful visitant economies successful nan United States.
In 2024, nan authorities generated 97.5 cardinal US dollars successful nonstop visitant spending, which fed into a full economical effect of astir 200 cardinal dollars. This created 1.3 cardinal jobs crossed cities, towns, and agrarian areas. By mid-2025, indicators propose nan authorities is building connected this record. Visitor numbers are steady, hotels are busy, and nan leisure marketplace remains strong.
The communicative is not conscionable astir nan state. County by county, nan tourism image is much detailed. Each portion of Texas has its ain operation of visitors, attractions, and spending patterns. Some counties are world gateways, others are leisure resorts, and others thrive connected sports and conventions.
Harris County and nan Houston Gateway
Harris County, location to Houston, is 1 of nan strongest tourism centres successful Texas. In 2024, visitant spending reached astir 11 cardinal dollars. The metropolis welcomed astir 54 cardinal visitors, creating a full effect of 16.6 cardinal dollars.
In 2025, Houston is seeing maturation successful world arrivals. More than 1 cardinal overseas visitors came successful 2024, led by markets specified arsenic India, nan United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and China. Domestic recreation remains strong, but this overseas operation gives Houston a unsocial edge. Leisure and awesome events are cardinal drivers. Sports, conventions, and taste activities capable nan metropolis calendar, and this inclination continues into 2025.
Dallas County and Its 2025 Projection
Dallas County is besides a awesome player. For 2025, visitant spending is projected astatine 11.2 cardinal dollars, a 2.75 per cent summation from nan erstwhile year. While world visitors are forecast to autumn by 8 per cent, home travellers are filling nan gap.
Dallas is good known for its meetings and conventions. The metropolis has invested heavy successful ample venues, and these proceed to pull thousands of delegates. The situation is to summation leisure tourism. Dallas leaders are now moving to tie much vacation visitors done arts, dining, and family attractions. The information shows that while business tourism is strong, nan early lies successful balancing this pinch leisure markets.
Bexar County and nan San Antonio Experience
San Antonio, successful Bexar County, remains a apical destination successful Texas. In 2023, nan full economical effect of hospitality was 21.5 cardinal dollars, pinch astir 36 to 38 cardinal visitors. While charismatic 2024 region numbers are not yet released, early signs successful 2025 show spot successful group meetings and conventions.
San Antonio besides depends connected leisure attractions. The Alamo, River Walk, and taste festivals proceed to pull millions. New projects successful nan metropolis are designed to amended visitant experiences, and this will adhd to nan affirmative trend. With some leisure and meetings successful growth, Bexar County is connected way for different beardown year.
Travis County and nan Austin Effect
Travis County, pinch Austin arsenic its hub, combines civilization and business tourism. In 2024, Austin’s tourism and meetings generated 9 cardinal dollars successful spending. Meetings and events added much than 500 cardinal dollars connected their own.
By mid-2025, downtown Austin hotels were operating astatine astir 66 per cent occupancy, pinch an mean regular complaint of astir 254 dollars. This shows that request is stable, moreover arsenic nan metropolis rebuilds its normal centre. Austin’s leisure marketplace is powered by music, food, and Formula 1 astatine nan Circuit of nan Americas. This unsocial blend makes Austin 1 of nan astir move counties for tourism successful Texas.
Tarrant County and nan Fort Worth-Arlington Corridor
Tarrant County is simply a tourism powerhouse acknowledgment to 2 cities. Fort Worth welcomed 11.5 cardinal visitors successful 2024, pinch a full effect of 3.5 cardinal dollars. Arlington drew 16.3 cardinal visitors, who spent 3.1 cardinal dollars.
The operation is heavy leisure-driven. Sports teams, stadiums, and taxable parks bring families and fans from crossed nan country. Arlington particularly depends connected awesome convention events and amusement parks. Fort Worth balances this pinch Western practice and taste districts. Together, they create 1 of nan astir charismatic location draws successful nan state.
Galveston County and Coastal Tourism
Galveston County is nan starring formation and cruise destination successful Texas. In 2024, nan region welcomed 8.9 cardinal visitors who spent 1.3 cardinal dollars.
The cruise marketplace is simply a cardinal portion of this success. Galveston is 1 of nan busiest cruise ports successful nan United States, and this boosts hotels, restaurants, and shops. Leisure tourism is nan different broadside of nan story. Families from Houston and different thrust markets travel for beaches, festivals, and historical sites. The marketplace is heavy seasonal but continues to expand. In 2025, Galveston remains 1 of nan apical leisure destinations successful Texas.
El Paso County and nan Border Advantage
El Paso County welcomed much than 3.8 cardinal visitors successful 2024, generating complete 2.2 cardinal dollars successful spending. The region benefits from its location connected nan US-Mexico border. Cross-border visitors, visiting friends and relatives, and taste tourism each play a role.
In 2025, events and concerts person continued to boost demand. The metropolis invests successful intermezo accommodation and sports venues, creating much reasons to visit. The blend of domestic, international, and cross-border recreation makes El Paso different from different Texas counties. Its unsocial position ensures dependable growth.
Collin and Denton Counties and Suburban Growth
Collin and Denton Counties, northbound of Dallas, are examples of fast-growing suburban tourism markets. Sports tourism is central. Events for illustration nan CJ Cup successful McKinney bring nationalist attraction and high-spending visitors.
These counties are besides building connected family and practice tourism. Denton introduced a tourism territory successful 2024 to support edifice marketing. Growth is clear successful unit and events, and some counties are gaining nickname arsenic leisure destinations successful their ain right.
Williamson County and nan Sports Model
Williamson County, conscionable northbound of Austin, is different fast-growing county. Round Rock is known arsenic nan “Sports Capital of Texas.” In nan 2023–24 fiscal year, sports tourism generated astir 558 cardinal dollars successful recreation spending.
This attraction connected younker and amateur sports is simply a proven model. Tournaments bring families who walk connected hotels, dining, and shopping. In 2025, Williamson County continues to trust connected this niche. The region shows that smaller regions tin thrive by focusing connected targeted markets.
Texas Tourism Reaches New Milestones
Tourism successful Texas is stronger than ever. In 2024, nan authorities welcomed much than 62 cardinal travellers. These visitors spent a grounds 97.5 cardinal US dollars, marking a 3.5 per cent summation from 2023. This was nan highest level of visitant spending successful Texas history.
The effect of this spending stretched crossed nan economy. In total, tourism generated almost 200 cardinal dollars successful economical activity. More than 1.3 cardinal Texans had jobs supported by nan visitant economy. State and section governments besides gained astir 9.2 cardinal dollars successful taxation revenues, reducing nan load connected households.
These numbers corroborate Texas arsenic 1 of nan starring recreation markets successful nan United States. The Lone Star State is not only attracting leisure travellers from crossed nan state but besides much world visitors than ever before.
Houston Leads nan Way successful Growth
Houston stood retired arsenic 1 of nan biggest occurrence stories. In 2024, nan metropolis welcomed astir 53.9 cardinal visitors. Of these, 52.6 cardinal were domestic travellers, and 1.3 cardinal came from abroad. The emergence represented a 4.8 per cent increase compared pinch nan twelvemonth before.
Visitors spent much than 11 cardinal dollars successful nan city. That was an 8.6 per cent emergence from 2023. The full effect connected Houston’s system was 16.6 cardinal dollars. This supported astir 121,800 jobs successful hospitality, retail, transport, and entertainment. The metropolis besides collected 2.2 cardinal dollars successful taxation revenue from tourism activity.
Houston’s maturation was not conscionable domestic. International recreation roseate by 15 per cent successful 2024. India, nan United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and China were nan apical 5 overseas markets. Travellers from these countries contributed much than 500 cardinal dollars to Houston’s economy. Chinese visitors stayed nan longest, averaging 23 nights and spending much than 3,000 dollars each.
Dallas Strengthens Its Tourism Market
Dallas besides showed beardown performance. The city’s tourism system was projected to surpass 11 cardinal dollars successful full impact for 2024. Tourism supported much than 61,000 jobs successful Dallas. It besides brought successful 703 cardinal dollars successful authorities and section taxation revenue.
Dallas is champion known for its meetings and conventions market. Its normal centre and hotels pull thousands of delegates each year. This creates dependable business tourism. But nan metropolis is besides investing successful arts, dining, and family attractions to summation leisure tourism. Balancing these 2 segments is nan cardinal to Dallas’s semipermanent growth.
Fort Worth Welcomes Millions of Visitors
Fort Worth, successful Tarrant County, continued to build its ain reputation. In 2024, nan metropolis welcomed much than 11.5 cardinal visitors. The economical effect was complete 3.5 cardinal dollars. This spending supported astir 30,000 jobs and generated much than 250 cardinal dollars successful authorities and section taxes.
Fort Worth’s marque arsenic a metropolis of Western heritage, mixed pinch its taste districts and events, makes it unique. Visitors tin acquisition rodeos, museums, music, and shopping. This operation of contented and modern civilization ensures that Fort Worth remains a beardown portion of Texas tourism.
Galveston’s Coastal and Cruise Tourism
Galveston County had a beardown twelvemonth successful 2024 arsenic well. The region welcomed 8.9 cardinal visitors, who spent astir 1.3 cardinal dollars.
The cruise manufacture plays a awesome domiciled successful Galveston’s success. The larboard is 1 of nan busiest cruise hubs successful nan United States. Each cruise vessel brings thousands of passengers who walk money connected hotels, food, and shopping earlier and aft their trips. Families from adjacent Houston and crossed Texas besides travel for beaches, festivals, and historical sites. Galveston’s dense attraction connected leisure makes it a favourite for short breaks and family holidays.
El Paso and nan Border Advantage
El Paso County welcomed much than 3.8 cardinal visitors successful 2024. These travellers generated 2.26 cardinal dollars successful spending. El Paso’s position connected nan US-Mexico separator makes it different from different counties. Cross-border visitors, group visiting friends and relatives, and taste visitors each thrust demand. Events and concerts besides boost edifice and edifice business. This operation of home and world markets gives El Paso resilience and ensures a dependable travel of visitors each year.
Bexar County and San Antonio’s Heritage Tourism
San Antonio remains 1 of nan astir visited cities successful Texas. In 2023, nan metropolis reported a 21.5 cardinal dollar economical effect from hospitality. It welcomed astir 36 to 38 cardinal visitors. Updated figures for 2024 corroborate that request remains high.
San Antonio’s practice attractions, specified arsenic nan Alamo and nan River Walk, proceed to pull millions. Cultural festivals adhd further appeal. The metropolis is besides investing successful caller projects to amended nan visitant experience. In 2025, nan maturation of conventions and group recreation is already clear. San Antonio’s operation of history and modern hospitality ensures its spot arsenic a starring destination.
Travis County and nan Austin Effect
Austin, successful Travis County, combines culture, music, and meetings. In 2024, nan metropolis recorded 9 cardinal dollars successful tourism spending. More than 500 cardinal dollars came straight from meetings and events.
Hotel request successful 2025 remained steady, pinch occupancy astatine astir 66 per cent successful nan 2nd quarter. Average room rates were astir 254 dollars. This shows beardown demand, moreover arsenic nan metropolis useful connected normal centre redevelopment. Austin’s world estimation for music, tech events, and Formula 1 races makes it 1 of nan astir move destinations successful nan state.
Leisure Travel and Market Trends
Leisure recreation remains nan backbone of Texas tourism. Families recreation by car for play getaways to beaches, elevation state towns, and suburban events. Sports tourism, concerts, and festivals thrust edifice request crossed counties.
Cruise recreation from Galveston adds different beardown furniture of leisure demand. Each sailing adds thousands of passengers to nan visitant economy. At nan aforesaid time, conventions and large-scale meetings support municipality centres for illustration Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin busy.
International recreation to Texas is growing, though it remains a smaller stock compared pinch home tourism. Houston is nan leader successful overseas arrivals. Visitors from India, nan UK, Germany, Australia, and China are now cardinal markets. These travellers enactment longer and walk much than mean home tourists.
Challenges pinch Overcrowding and Parks
While tourism brings growth, it besides brings challenges. In 2024, respective Texas attractions were classed among nan astir overcrowded. Schlitterbahn Waterpark and nan Comal River successful New Braunfels were named nan astir congested sites. Other crowded locations included Port Aransas Beach, Barton Springs, nan Alamo, and nan San Antonio River Walk.
Texas authorities parks are besides nether pressure. Visits reached a precocious of astir 10 cardinal successful 2021 during nan pandemic but fell to 9.1 cardinal successful 2024. Demand is still strong, but accommodation look strain. To respond, nan authorities has approved much than 1 cardinal dollars successful backing for caller parkland. This will grow capacity and thief protect earthy resources for nan future.
The Role of Tax Revenues and Jobs
Tourism not only entertains visitors but besides supports communities. In 2024, nan manufacture generated 9.2 cardinal dollars successful authorities and section taxation revenues. This money helps money schools, hospitals, emergency services, and roads. Without these revenues, households would look higher taxes.
More than 1.3 cardinal Texans activity successful tourism. Jobs scope from hotels and restaurants to carrier and attractions. Every region benefits, from awesome municipality hubs to smaller suburban and agrarian areas. Tourism provides careers for young group and opportunities for advancement successful hospitality and events.
The 2024 statistic corroborate that Texas tourism is stronger than ever. Visitor spending deed caller records. Jobs and taxation revenues reached precocious levels. Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, Galveston, and El Paso each played awesome roles successful this growth.
Leisure recreation remains nan halfway spot of nan market. Conventions, sports, and concerts adhd important demand. International visitors are besides increasing, bringing longer stays and higher spending.
Challenges specified arsenic overcrowding astatine attractions and strain connected parks are real. But Texas is responding pinch caller backing and description . The extremity is to support tourism sustainable while ensuring visitors and residents some benefit.
In 2024, Texas proved that it is not conscionable a large authorities successful size. It is besides a elephantine successful tourism. The results show an manufacture that is resilient, diverse, and prepared for nan future.
The Source Markets for Texas Tourism
Tourism successful Texas is powered by some in-state and out-of-state visitors. In 2024, location were 67 cardinal in-state trips and 53 cardinal out-of-state trips. Day trips added different 111 cardinal journeys. About 40 per cent of visitors came for picnic aliases leisure.
Most Texans recreation by car for play getaways. Out-of-state visitors often get by air, particularly into Houston, Dallas, and Austin. International recreation is led by Mexico, but overseas markets are growing. Houston, successful particular, attracts visitors from India, nan UK, and Germany. This world magnitude is shaping Texas tourism successful 2025.
US Leisure Travel successful 2025
US Leisure recreation continues to lead nan betterment successful 2025. Families are taking short trips to beaches, elevation country, and suburban attractions. Sports and concerts are cardinal drivers of play demand. Major events successful Arlington, Austin, and Houston create peaks that capable hotels and restaurants.
Cruises from Galveston adhd different furniture of leisure demand, bringing thousands of passengers each week. Across nan state, leisure tourism shows nary motion of slowing down. Even pinch challenges successful world travel, home leisure keeps Texas hotels busy.
US Visitor Spending and nan 2025 Travel Outlook
County-level spending information for 2025 will not beryllium released until outpouring 2026. But early signs show that spending is unchangeable aliases rising. Dallas is forecasting 11.2 cardinal dollars successful visitant spending for 2025. Houston, San Antonio, and Austin proceed to grounds beardown edifice and arena data.
The operation of home leisure, sports, and conventions is carrying nan authorities forward. Even arsenic overseas recreation remains soft, Texas is connected gait for different beardown year. The situation will beryllium to prolong maturation while supporting infrastructure and ensuring communities stock successful nan benefits.
Tourism successful Texas is diverse, resilient, and powerful. From world gateways for illustration Houston and Dallas to leisure resorts for illustration Galveston and sports hubs for illustration Arlington and Round Rock, each region plays a role. In 2024, spending records were set. In 2025, nan authorities is building connected them.
The lessons are clear. Domestic leisure is nan backbone of Texas tourism. International markets adhd valuable growth, particularly successful Houston. Sports and events are captious drivers, from younker tournaments to world concerts. Counties that put successful attractions, infrastructure, and hospitality spot nonstop returns successful spending, jobs, and taxation savings.
Texas is not conscionable a large state. It is simply a large tourism occurrence story. In 2025, nan numbers beryllium that nan Lone Star State’s visitant system is stronger than ever.