Patricia Moore received the Texas Travel Industry’s 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Texas Travel Summit Awards Gala, held Oct. 15 as part of the 39th Annual Texas Travel Summit hosted by the Texas Travel Alliance.
“I have been blessed to represent Bandera, Texas, the Cowboy Capital of the World,” Moore said in her acceptance speech. “Accepting an award for following your passion and doing what you love feels almost underserving. Isn’t that what we all strive for?”
Moore’s journey into the tourism sector began after a pioneering effort in the mid-1970s, when she and a partner introduced hospice care to Texas—a challenging initiative given her non-healthcare background.
Seeking a career change, she joined the hospitality industry and worked with the opening team at the Dallas Anatole hotel in 1979. By 1984, she was Reservations Manager, contributing to the hotel’s expansion and supporting its sales and conventions team.
“Patricia Moore’s dedication and indomitable spirit have left an indelible mark on the Texas travel and tourism industry,” said Erika Boyd, President and CEO of the Texas Travel Alliance. “Her tireless efforts to promote and enhance Bandera as the Cowboy Capital of the World and her leadership in various tourism initiatives have set a high standard for excellence. We are honored to recognize her with the Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Following her time in Dallas, Moore moved to Tucson, Arizona, where she helped open Loews Ventana Canyon Resort as Front Office Manager.
In 1990, she returned to Texas, opening a bed and breakfast in Bandera.
Later, she managed both the Bandera Chamber of Commerce and the Bandera Convention & Visitors Bureau, ultimately leading the Bandera County Convention Bureau as an independent agency.
Through initiatives like “Bandera on the Road,” major fairs, state museum partnerships, and statewide collaborations, Moore championed Bandera’s profile in Texas tourism.
“Patricia’s journey from introducing hospice care to becoming a pivotal figure in Texas tourism exemplifies her resilience and passion for making a positive impact,” read a release from TTA. “Her legacy continues to inspire those in the travel and tourism industry.”
