McAllen Officially Recognized as International Destination City
· Texas Border Business
McAllen has been recognized four times as an IFEA International Festival and World Festival and Event City due to its diverse year-round offerings, including festivals, conventions, and food tourism. Mayor Pro Tem Victor “Seby” Haddad declared May 3-9, 2026, as National Travel and Tourism Week, highlighting the sector's importance to the local economy, which supports over 7,200 jobs. In 2025, McAllen hosted 33 conferences generating $7.4 million and 13 sporting events that brought in over $22 million. McAllen International Airport reported over 1 million travelers in 2024, contributing $1.2 billion to the economy and creating over 12,000 jobs annually.
AI summary · Source: Texas Border Business →
