Nacogdoches: A Texas Town That's Making Tourism Great Again

The City of Nacogdoches just planted its flag as a trailblazer in Texas tourism, earning the Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community designation from Governor Greg Abbott’s Travel Texas initiative. This isn’t just a shiny badge for the oldest town in Texas; it’s a loud declaration that small communities can punch above their weight when they harness their history, charm, and grit. With 1.5 million visitors pumping over $77 million into the local economy each year, Nacogdoches proves that tourism isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline, and one that’s strengthening Texas from the ground up.

Governor Abbott gets it. He’s spotlighted what’s been obvious to anyone paying attention: tourism fuels our state, supporting one in 11 jobs and raking in a staggering $193 billion annually. Nacogdoches isn’t some outlier; it’s a blueprint. From its historic Old Stone Fort Museum to the serene Stephen F. Austin Gardens, this town showcases the kind of authentic Texas spirit that draws folks from across the nation and beyond. The certification isn’t a gift; it’s a reward for hard work, a signal that local hustle paired with state support can turn heritage into horsepower.

Let’s talk numbers, because they don’t lie. Texas tourism employs 1.3 million people, from hotel clerks to tour guides, and Nacogdoches is a shining example of why that matters. Mayor Randy Johnson, a business owner who’s seen six decades of local success, calls this designation a promise to keep sharing the town’s rich legacy. That’s not fluffy rhetoric; it’s economics. Visitor spending doesn’t just pad corporate profits, it keeps mom-and-pop shops alive, funds road repairs, and puts food on the table for working families. In 2023 alone, Texas saw $193.8 billion from tourism, a figure that dwarfs what naysayers claim government-backed programs can achieve.

Contrast that with the hand-wringing from urban elites who’d rather funnel cash into flashy city projects than bolster rural gems like Nacogdoches. They’ll argue tourism strains resources or dilutes culture, but the evidence says otherwise. Look at Greenville, South Carolina, where $2.3 billion in visitor spending last year propped up local businesses without turning the place into a theme park. Sustainable tourism, guided by programs like Travel Texas, preserves what’s real while delivering tangible gains. Nacogdoches isn’t eroding its soul; it’s banking on it.

Governor Abbott’s Economic Development & Tourism Office isn’t meddling here; it’s leading. The Tourism Friendly Texas program offers training, marketing muscle, and a clear path for towns to turn their assets into jobs. State Representative Joanne Shofner nailed it when she praised the hospitality of Nacogdoches locals and businesses for earning this honor. This isn’t about bureaucrats dictating terms; it’s about giving communities the tools to thrive. Texas has a long history of state government stepping up, from funding roads to boosting small-town tourism, and the results speak louder than any critic’s whining.

Compare that to the federal sinkhole of red tape. The U.S. Economic Development Administration tosses millions at vague ‘tourism grants,’ yet rural areas often see crumbs. Texas cuts through the nonsense, targeting support where it works. Nacogdoches City Manager Rick Beverlin hit the bullseye: this certification reflects a community effort, not a top-down mandate. It’s a model of government doing what it’s supposed to, empowering people to build their own success, not drowning them in regulations or empty promises.

Nacogdoches thrives because it knows its past isn’t just a story, it’s a seller. Sites like The Eyes of Father Margil Trail and the Sterne-Hoya House Museum aren’t dusty relics; they’re magnets for visitors who crave something real. Alex Ranc, chair of the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau, drives the point home: tourism is the heartbeat of this town, blending economic growth with cultural pride. Historical sites across Texas, from Galveston to San Antonio, have long proven that heritage pays off, with Galveston alone pulling in $872 million in visitor cash back in 2018.

Skeptics might scoff, claiming historical tourism is niche or overhyped. Tell that to the millions flocking to reenactments and guided tours nationwide. Smart promotion, like social media campaigns or annual events tied to local lore, keeps these places buzzing. Nacogdoches isn’t resting on laurels; it’s leveraging them. The Tourism Friendly Texas stamp isn’t an endpoint, it’s a launchpad to keep drawing crowds and cash while reminding everyone what makes Texas, well, Texas.

Nacogdoches has lit the torch, and other Texas towns better take notice. This certification isn’t a one-off pat on the back; it’s a call to action. Every community with a story to tell, from dusty plains to piney woods, can tap into this program and turn visitors into revenue. Governor Abbott’s challenge is clear: grow tourism, create jobs, and keep Texas on the map. The state’s backing isn’t charity; it’s an investment in a future where local economies don’t just survive, they soar.

Texas stands at a crossroads. We can let our small towns fade into obscurity, or we can double down on what works. Nacogdoches chose the latter, proving that tourism, fueled by state support and local resolve, is a powerhouse for growth. The numbers back it up, the history demands it, and the people deserve it. This is more than a win for one city; it’s a rallying cry for a state that knows its strength lies in its roots. Let’s keep pushing, because Texas doesn’t settle for second place.