Tourists spent
approximately $57 billion in the state in 2007. In keeping with the state's gregarious reputation, the Texas tourism folks are not content to just place pretty ads in media.
Instead, for
the second year in a row, they're in effect taking Texas to the rest of the country via a high-tech virtual reality road show, "Texas on Tour."
This year's tour, which
kicked off May 15 at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, will stretch through October, also stopping in New York City, Chicago, Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Chattanooga, Tenn., Milwaukee and
Oshkosh, Wis., Fort Wayne, Ind., Springfield, Ill. and Pomona, Calif.
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The 2009 interactive experience features 53 feet of attractions, including:
- A virtual
reality kayak adventure, simulating a trip through the state's waterways.
- A film about the state's history and attractions, viewed in a domed, 30-foot theater. While in the
theater, visitors can also participate in a trivia game and have the chance to win prizes.
- A green-screen photo experience that "transports" visitors to the Alamo, Palo
Duro Canyon, SeaWorld San Antonio or one of the state's cities and lets them "take a piece of Texas home."
- A virtual beach stroll along Texas's 624 miles of
coastline.
- A stage featuring live musicians and other entertainment. Visitors can also register online (texasontour.com) now through October to win a trip for two to Texas.
The road show is being sponsored by the Dallas/Fort Worth Area Tourism Council, the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau and SeaWorld San Antonio.
Tourism is one
Texas's largest industries. Tourists spent approximately $57 billion in the state in 2007.