Tourism in Texas accounted for $51.8 billion worth of income for the state in 2009, according to the Texas state travel website. Texas tourism helped support 526,000 jobs, making this a lucrative market. Trends in Texas tourism include top destinations, specific reasons for travel and travel among certain demographics.
The average age for visitors coming into Texas and staying overnight is 48. The largest group of people coming in to Texas for tourism are those in the affluent mature group, people over 55 years old earning more than $60,000 a year.
Most visitors to Texas come to visit friends and relatives, making up 57 percent of the visitor total. Fifteen percent of visitors come for a general vacation.
The Alamo, with 35 percent of visitors stopping there, and Galveston Island, with 17 percent of the visitors, make up the top two destinations in the state. Other top tourist attractions include Six Flags Over Texas, Paseo del Rio, San Marcos Outlet Mall and the Texas State Aquarium.
