SAN ANTONIO CLAIMS TOP SPOT ON TEXAS HIGHWAYS READERS’ CHOICE TOP 40 TEXAS DESTINATIONS
Throughout 2014, official travel magazine of Texas shares readers’ favorite places to visit
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Texas Highways magazine today announced San Antonio as No. 1 in the countdown of Texas Top 40 favorite destinations as chosen by readers. The announcement was made at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.
Texas Transportation Commissioner Jeff Austin III briefly addressed the audience of more than 700 hospitality tourism partners and community business leaders prior to the presentation ceremony.
“San Antonio is not only a favorite Texas destination, but also a city that garners worldwide recognition,” Commissioner Austin III said. “We are blessed to have so many culturally rich and diverse destinations across the great state of Texas, and San Antonio certainly qualifies as one of our shining stars. I thank Texas Highways readers for their participation and extend my sincerest congratulations to the people and city of San Antonio.”
Casandra Matej, CEO of the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, accepted the No. 1 designation from Texas Highways editor Jill Lawless during the organization’s annual meeting. The magazine also shared a special video featuring San Antonio.
“We are thrilled that the readers of Texas Highways have chosen San Antonio as Texas’ No. 1 destination,” Matej said. “One of the reasons we are a favorite for so many travelers is that there is always something new to experience in San Antonio. Our Spanish colonial missions, eclectic neighborhoods, theme parks and rich cultural experiences evoke a distinct sense of place. This is a big part of why we welcome more than 31 million visitors every year, and 70 percent of them are from within Texas.”
Magazine readers noted San Antonio’s many world-class attractions, including Sea World, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Phillips Entertainment, the Alamo and the San Antonio Missions Trail as cherished experiences. Voters also mentioned the importance of great restaurants like Boudro’s, La Gloria and Mi Tierra Café and Bakery. Events such as Fiesta San Antonio and the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony, as well as shopping at La Villita Historic Arts Village on the famed River Walk also helped garner votes.
Starting with its January issue and continuing with each monthly issue of 2014, Texas Highways magazine revealed groups of the state’s Top 40 destinations as ranked by readers. The San Antonio article will appear in the December issue of Texas Highways, which will mail to subscribers in early November. The issue will be available on newsstands in mid-November.
About Texas Highways magazine
Founded as a travel magazine in 1974, Texas Highways is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2014. Today, Texas Highways has 200,000 subscribers and 400,000 monthly readers across the United States and around the world.
Texas Highways’ mission is to encourage travel to and within the state. According to estimates from the Texas Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism division, travelers to and within Texas in 2013 spent more than $67.5 billion, an increase of 3 percent over 2012. This directly supported 601,000 jobs and generated $4.7 billion in state and local taxes.
To learn more about Texas Highways, visit www.texashighways.com. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/texashighways and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/texashighways.
Texas Department of Transportation
The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, rail, and public transportation across the state. TxDOT and its 12,000 employees are committed to working with others to provide safe and reliable transportation solutions for Texas by maintaining a safe system, addressing congestion, connecting Texas communities, and being a Best in Class state agency. Find out more at www.txdot.gov. “Like” us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/txdot ; and follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/txdot .
Join us Jan. 14, 2015 as we celebrate 10 years of transportation transformation in Texas.