Lots of good things await travelers coming to Texas, especially Canadians who represent the second largest international market for the destination. TravelPulse Canada recently spoke with Brad Smyth, Visit Texas Director of Tourism and Economic Development, to learn more about why Texas is a top draw for Canadians.

"We love our Canadian visitors," he said at the outset, adding that they came for a number of reasons, because Texas is a destination that has a lot to offer.

“Some Canadians go there to escape the rigors of winter, visiting the beautiful beaches of the destination, others to discover an affordable spot served by direct flight by Air Canada (from Montreal and Toronto) and WestJet (from Calgary).”

This year is a good time to visit Houston, as the city celebrates the 50th anniversary of landing on the moon in the destination. "Houston is organizing extraordinary events throughout the year at the Houston Space Center to celebrate this birthday, explained Mr. Smyth. “The world-class Houston museum district is also experiencing incredible changes and growth that will make it even more exciting. "

An hour's drive from Houston, visitors can cruise from Galveston, a beautiful port city known for the beauty of its beaches and waterside rides. "Cruises from Galveston continue to increase”, explained Mr. Smyth. “Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line and Disney all offer cruises; companies bring larger ships because of growing interest in the destination, rich in charm and history."

About a 3-hour drive from Galveston, Austin, the capital of Texas, is an excellent entry point to the state, Smyth said. The capital of "live" music, it is a green, modern and lush destination.

"The city is dynamic and creative and offers many musical events and festivals, including the Austin City Limits Festival. There are more than 200 concert halls in the destination; it is therefore a city of music and culture. There is also a natural spring river that has been turned into a pool in the city. "

From Austin, visitors can travel to Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country area, which includes more than 40 wineries. "This is the second largest wine region in the United States," said Smyth. “There is a very beautiful gastronomic culture and a culinary scene that has developed around this."

"Fredericksburg is a charming city colonized by the Germans in 1880 that retains its European charm in terms of architecture and also in its festivals and the modern way in which people have to make their wine, their beer and their food. There are plenty of fabulous places to stay in and out of the city. It is a beautiful natural region, easy to discover, which contains many state parks. There are also some ranches in this area, which is really fun."

Subsequently, tourists can travel to San Antonio, which celebrated its 300th anniversary last year. "It is a vibrant city, founded by Spanish missionaries between 1600 and 1700. It has the largest collection of Spanish colonial architecture in the United States. We also feel its Spanish and Mexican influences and its proximity to Mexico. "

For those who love the beaches, Texas has nearly 1,000 kilometers of coastline and several seaside resorts, including Corpus Christi (2.5 hours from San Antonio), Port Aransas, a charming little seaside town named one of the 10 best beaches United States by Trip Advisor in 2019, Padre Island and, of course, Galveston.

Another exciting thing to do is to visit Big Bend National Park, located in West Texas. Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, it is one of the largest national parks in the United States.

"It's a beautiful park in the great Chihuahuan desert, one of the four desert ecosystems of North America. Its relief is varied, so that you can see both plains and the desert mountains. It's a living desert with the largest number of bird and animal species in all the desert ecosystems of North America," said Smyth.

In short, whether you're looking for beaches, towns, national parks, vineyards, or authentic experiences with locals, Texas is a diverse region that's sure to please everyone.

For more information: https://www.traveltexas.com