The Texas Historical Commission (THC)
designated the Texas Mountain Trail Region and the Texas Tropical Trail Region
as the seventh and eighth areas to participate in the agency’s regional tourism
initiative, the Texas Heritage Trails Program. Acceptance into the program begins
the state-assisted development and promotion of the area as a heritage tourism
destination.
“Heritage tourism is a key element of regional
economic development,” said THC Chairman John L. Nau, III. “With the addition
of these regions, our program will cover 221 Texas counties serving as economic
engines generating more dollars for our state.”
The Texas Heritage Trails Program helps Texas
communities promote tourism, revitalize local economies, and foster community
leadership through historic preservation. The THC will work with both regions
for a minimum of three years providing technical, marketing and financial assistance.
The Texas Mountain Trail Region includes six
counties: Brewster, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis and Presidio.
The Texas Tropical Trail Region includes 20
counties: Aransas, Brooks, Cameron, Dimmit, Duval, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells,
Kenedy, Kleberg, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio,
Starr, Webb, Willacy and Zapata.
The Texas Mountain Trail Region officially
was launched in September 2004, and the Texas Tropical Trail Region will begin
operating in January 2005. Initial steps include establishing a board, hiring
a regional trail coordinator, assessing and reporting on the region’s heritage
tourism readiness, and creating a regional travel guide.
For free travel guides highlighting Texas’
heritage trail regions, please call 866-276-6219 or visit www.thc.state.tx.us/travel.