Material purchases for new construction are likely to be purchased outside the county, causing minimal impact on the local economy. When an existing building is demolished, the community loses the value of materials, energy resources and labor used to design, build and maintain the structure. The Economic Impact of Tourism Heritage Tourism has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry. Promoting a restored historic courthouses as heritage tourism destinations could impact local economies statewide. Texas ranks second as a pleasure travel destination for U.S. residents, and the state is a leading destination for international travelers.
Tourism is the third largest revenue-generating industry in Texas.
Travel spending supported almost 450,000 Texas jobs in 1995. Texas ranks fourth in the U.S. in the number of cultural and historical travelers. Nationwide, more than 65 million Americans said they had visited a historic site or museum or had attended a music concert, arts performance or other cultural event in 1996. Heritage travelers take longer trips and spend more per trip than average U.S. travelers. Erath County Courthouse Environmental Responsibility Preservation protects and extends the environmental investment a community has already made in an existing building.