PHOTO #1: Victoria Preservation Inc. Executive Director Jeff Wright leads a tour of downtown Victoria Nov. 12 during the Texian Rally.
PHOTO #2: Texian Rally attendees participate in a tour of Presidio La Bahía Nov. 12.
PHOTO #3: Texian Rally attendees gather at Power Avenue Warehouse Nov. 13 for a series of informative sessions on heritage tourism. Photo contributed by Texas Independence Trail Region.
PHOTO #4: Discover Victoria, Texas Director Joel Novosad shares lessons and takeaways from Victoria’s 2024 bicentennial celebration Nov. 13 at Power Avenue Warehouse during the Texian Rally.
Tourism officials from around the state paid a visit to Victoria Nov. 12-13 to learn about heritage tourism during the Texian Rally Tours & Workshop, organized by the Texas Historical Commission’s Texas Independence Trail Region.
During the first day of the event, Victoria Preservation Inc. led visitors on tours of downtown Victoria and the nearby Presidio La Bahía.
On the second day of the event, held at Power Avenue Warehouse, attendees heard presentations and took part in collaborative sessions on advocacy, marketing and sustainable growth in heritage tourism.
The presenters included Discover Victoria, Texas Director Joel Novosad, who shared lessons and takeaways from Victoria’s 2024 bicentennial celebration.
“I was honored to be chosen as a speaker for the 2025 Texian Rally, and I hope my presentation offered other Texas destination officials ideas for how to plan and execute a successful bicentennial celebration,” Novosad said. “We thank all those who made the trip to Victoria to attend the event, and we look forward to hosting similar events in the near future.”
Discover Victoria, Texas Destination Marketing Manager Nancy Brittain, who is also a Texas Independence Trail Region board member, said the event helped to raise Victoria’s profile with tourism organizations.
“Our partnership with the Texas Historical Commission created a new opportunity for us to spotlight Victoria’s rich history,” she said. “We were excited to welcome the many tourism professionals from our region and our state who came to learn more about Victoria.”
To learn more about events and attractions in Victoria and the surrounding area, visit www.discovervictoriatexas.com.