What I Like About Texas

In this episode of What I Like About Texas, host Erika Boyd, president and CEO of the Texas Travel Alliance, explores the economic and cultural impact of the Texas outdoors, which contributed $59.4 billion to the state’s GDP in 2024. Joining the conversation are Robert Alvarez, executive director of Visit Big Bend; Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks; and Margo Richards, SVP of Communit...

In this episode of What I Like About Texas, host Erika Boyd, president and CEO of the Texas Travel Alliance, explores how Texas wine has become a major driver of statewide tourism, with Texas ranking fourth in number of wineries and second in total wine economic impact at $24.39 billion. She is joined by Kim McPherson, owner and winemaker at McPherson Cellars in Lubbock, Amanda Koone, vice preside...

In this episode of What I Like About Texas, host Erika Boyd, president and CEO of the Texas Travel Alliance, kicks off 2026 with a road-trip-ready conversation celebrating some of the Lone Star State’s most memorable routes and roadside attractions. Erika is joined by Diann Bayes of How Big Is Texas and Kashion Smith of Visit Amarillo for a tour of destinations that showcase Texas’ unmistakable ch...

In this festive edition of What I Like About Texas, host Erika Boyd, president and CEO of the Texas Travel Alliance, highlights the can’t-miss holiday celebrations that make the Lone Star State sparkle. She kicks things off with Elizabeth Schrack from Visit Grapevine, who shares why Grapevine truly earns its title as the Christmas Capital of Texas—with more than 1,400 seasonal events, including Sa...

In this episode of What I Like About Texas, host Erika Boyd, president and CEO of the Texas Travel Alliance, takes listeners on a tour of Texas towns that shine in the fall. Diann Bayes of How Big Is Texas highlights the charm of small towns and their lively downtowns. Patricia Moore from the Bandera County CVB shares what makes Bandera the ultimate destination for authentic cowboy culture. Dustin...

In this high-energy, home-run-hitting episode of What I Like About Texas, host Erika Boyd, president and CEO of the Texas Travel Alliance, dives into the powerhouse that is sports tourism in the Lone Star State. She’s joined by all-star guests Matt Wilson (Arlington Sports Commission), Josh Dill (Visit Frisco), April Walker-Davis (Visit Cedar Park Texas), and Drew Hays (Austin Sports Commission) f...

In this splash-worthy episode of What I Like About Texas, host Erika Boyd, President and CEO of the Texas Travel Alliance, dives into some of the Lone Star State’s most popular waterparks, just in time for summer. Later in the episode, she's joined by Richard Pretlow II, President of Morgan's Wonderland, who shares the inspiring story behind the world’s first ultra-accessible waterpark, designed f...

In the premiere episode of That's What I Like About Texas, host Erika Boyd, president and CEO of the Texas Travel Alliance, explores some of the Lone Star State’s top coastal destinations. She’s joined by tourism leaders Brett Stawar (Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce), Tony Lyle, CTA (Visit Galveston), Meredith Darden, CDME, CTE (Visit Corpus Christi), and Cindy Trevino (South...

The Texas Travel Alliance, the primary advocate and voice for the Texas travel industry, is excited to announce the launch of What I Like About Texas, an original podcast series created to spotlight unique destinations, travel tales and tourism news from the great state of Texas. Check out the trailer for season one!