Visit Willacy

PORT MANSFIELD - State officials Thursday cited an ancient salt lake, vast ranchlands and this tiny fishing village as potential tourist destinations in Willacy County.

Officials from Gov. Rick Perry's office will continue to tour the county today as part of a project to identify tourist hot spots in this region mired in a sputtering farming economy.

"They will provide our county leaders with a set of eyes to improve tourism," County Commissioner Emilio Vera, the acting county judge, said in a news conference.

State officials will present the county with a report this summer.

Officials toured this fishing village Thursday after visiting the salt lake named La Sal Vieja, where Native American Indians and Spanish colonizers drew salt that helped to sustain ancient civilizations.

"What we've seen so far is great," said Leticia Flores, regional representative for economic development and tourism for Perry's office.

"I see a lot of potential for economic development."

State officials said La Sal Vieja and the county's historic ranches could spur ecotourism here.

"I think there's a lot of potential for nature tourism," said Nate Gieryn, a travel researcher for the state's Economic Development & Tourism office. "I'd say the salt lake is a hidden treasure for this area."

The annual Port Mansfield Fishing Tournament could lure more sportsmen to the area, Gieryn said.

"Fishing tournaments are huge tourism generators," Gieryn said of the tourney that draws anglers from across the country. "That's definitely a strength to build on."

The pristine condition of the area's sprawling ranches offer wildlife that ranges from the ferruginous pygmy owl to African antelope, officials said.

The historic ranches hold a bounty to attract birders and hunters, said Guadalupe Torres, an economic development official with the Texas Department of Agriculture.

"We have such a diversity of wildlife," said Jesus Franco, a wildlife biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Service. "There's a lot of potential that's basically been underutilized."