Bonham, Texas – The Bonham Area Tourism Association hosted the quarterly Texas Lakes Trails Region meeting at the Creative Arts Center in Bonham on Wednesday, May 27. Over forty people were welcomed by Mayor Roy Floyd and City Manager, Corby Alexander.
Bonham was entertaining in style with lime green and purple table covers adorned with festive gift bags.
The meeting was held at the Creative Arts Center in Bonham.
Visitors traveled from McKinney, Frisco, Ft. Worth, Dallas, Paris, Granbury, Grapevine, Nocona, Whitesboro, Farmer’s Branch, Sherman and many other cities and towns to discuss various events, legislation, and programs related to tourism and the resulting economic benefits. The meeting also provided the opportunity for attendees to discuss current trends in tourism, as well as sharing ideas that were successful.
The meeting concluded with a presentation from the Bonham Tourism Association highlighting area attractions and events available to visitors. Following a lunch catered by the Creative Arts Center, meeting attendees visited local attractions, including the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum, the Sam Rayburn House Museum, and the Fannin County Museum of History.
The Texas Lakes Trail Region is one of ten heritage regions in the Texas Historical Commission’s Heritage Trails Program. Created in 1997 to promote the heritage tourism on a statewide level, the Heritage Trails are based on 10 scenic driving trails originally created by Governor John Connally and the Texas Highway Department in 1968.
The Texas Lakes Trail Region is comprised of thirty-one counties and stretches along the Red river from Paris in the east past Wichita Falls to Vernon in the west and from Denison south to Clifton, just north of Waco.
Texas Lakes Trail members work with the Regional Coordinator, Jill Campbell, assisting communities increase visitation and visibility of historic sites and raise awareness about historic preservation. For more information about the Texas Lakes Trail Region, visit their website at http://www.texaslakestrail.com.
The Bonham Area Tourism Association (BTA) was created in February 2008 with the goal of promoting tourism within the Bonham area. Since its creation, BTA has promoted and participated in a number of area activities, including Heritage Days Festivals and events at the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum, the Sam Rayburn House Museum, Fort Inglish Village, and the Creative Arts Center.
BTA has also represented Bonham at regional meetings and workshops including Texas Lakes Trail, Red River Valley Tourism Association and Texas Travel Industry Association. In addition, BTA has participated in the National Trust for Historic Preservation “This Place Matters” campaign and Preservation Month activities. In early 2009, Bonham City Council appointed members of the BTA to serve as members on a newly created tourism committee.
To learn more about area attractions and upcoming events, visit the BTA website at http://www.visitbonham.com.