RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today marked the start of National Tourism Week by touting the $19 billion economic impact of Virginia’s tourism industry and encouraging Virginians to visit http://www.virginia.org/ to start planning a Virginia vacation for their family this summer.
“Tourism is an instant revenue generator for Virginia that brings in $19 billion into our economy, supports over 204,000 jobs and provides $1.3 billion in state and local tax revenue,” said Governor McDonnell. “In support of National Tourism Week, I encourage Virginians to travel Virginia first and start planning a vacation to visit destinations throughout the Commonwealth. Visitors from throughout the world come to Virginia to take in our beaches, outdoor recreation, rich history, wineries and exciting attractions. Virginians should take advantage of living in this beautiful state and get out and explore the sites that out-of-state travelers enjoy each year.”
The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) is the state agency responsible for marketing Virginia to visitors and promoting the Virginia is for Lovers brand. Virginia ranks eighth in the nation for domestic travelers. Spending by international visitors to Virginia increased by 12 percent in 2010 and spending by Canadian visitors increased by 16.6 percent.
Virginia is for Lovers is the longest-running state tourism slogan in the country. Virginia is for Lovers stands for love – pure and simple, and promotes the state as the ideal destination for loved ones to completely connect on a great vacation. Virginia is for Lovers was named one of the top ten tourism marketing campaigns of all time by Forbes and was inducted into the National Advertising Walk of Fame in 2009. Virginia was recently named one of the top 10 wine travel destinations in the world for 2012 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
The state’s tourism Web site, http://www.virginia.org/, is one of the most visited in the nation and features destinations, events, travel packages and special offers from throughout the state. The VTC distributes more than 700,000 Virginia Travel Guides each year and sees more than two million visitors at the Virginia Welcome Centers statewide.
“We invite Virginians to take advantage of our Web site and free travel guides as they are great resources to plan a vacation or to entertain visiting friends and relatives,” said Rita McClenny, interim president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “When you take an in-state vacation, you spend less time traveling and more time with your family, discover something new about your own state, and support Virginia’s economy.”
Love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation. Go to http://www.virginia.org/ and start planning a trip or call 1-800-VISITVA to request a free, Virginia is for Lovers travel guide. Connect with Virginia on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/VirginiaisforLovers or on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/VisitVirginia. Watch the Virginia is for Lovers TV commercial at www.youtube.com/VisitVirginia.
