Wayne Theatre Alliance to receive tourism marketing grant
The Virginia Tourism Corporation has awarded the Wayne Theatre Alliance a $5000 grant through the Virginia Tourism Corporation Fall 2011 Marketing Leverage Program. WTA was one of 35 local tourism entries from throughout Virginia who were awarded grants.
The grants from the Virginia Tourism Corporation are designed to assist local and regional tourism entities to attract more visitors by leveraging local marketing dollars. The successful grant application was a partnership between the Wayne Theatre Alliance, the Waynesboro Office of Tourism and Stone Soup Books and Café to promote tourism in Waynesboro and WTA’s Gateway Theatre. The local partners provided a $5000 match for the grant, making a total of $10,000 available for the project. Continue reading “Wayne Theatre Alliance to receive tourism marketing grant” »
Virginia tourism: An $18.9B industry in 2010
Gov. Bob McDonnell announced today that visitors to Virginia generated $18.9 billion in revenue in 2010, a 6.7 percent increase over 2009. In 2010, tourism in Virginia supported 204,000 jobs and provided more than $1.3 billion in state and local taxes. The Virginia Tourism Corporation receives its annual economic impact data from the U.S. Travel Association. The information is based on domestic visitor spending (travelers from within the United States) from per person trips taken 50 miles or more away from home.
“The increase in revenue from tourism is very encouraging,” said McDonnell. “Given current economic conditions across the country, a 6.7 percent increase is impressive. Tourism is an instant revenue generator and job creator for Virginia, which is why I continue to advocate for more resources for tourism marketing. Smart investments in tourism provide economic benefits to communities across the Commonwealth and good jobs for our citizens.”
The 6.7 percent growth in domestic visitor spending follows Governor McDonnell’s recent announcement that tourism spending by overseas travelers to Virginia increased by more than 12 percent in 2010. Additionally, Canadian visitors to Virginia showed an even greater increase as nearly 575,000 Canadians traveled to Virginia and spent more than $133 million, a 16.6 percent increase in spending over 2009.
“We are pleased to have tourism revenue trending upward,” said Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “However the economy continues to pose challenges for visitors and our industry. We’ll work with our industry partners to build on these positive gains, increase our marketing efforts and bring more visitors to Virginia.”
For information about Virginia’s travel destinations and trip planning resources, visit www.Virginia.org or call 1-800-VISITVA to request a free, Virginia is for Lovers Travel Guide.
State: Record international tourism spending in 2010
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell announced today that tourism spending by overseas travelers in Virginia increased by more than 12 percent in 2010. New figures released by Capital Region USA show international tourism spending was a record $321 million in 2010, up $35 million from 2009.
Additionally, Virginia’s efforts to market to visitors from Canada are providing direct benefits to the Commonwealth. New results show that in 2010 direct spending by Canadian visitors showed an even greater increase as nearly 575,000 Canadians traveled to Virginia and spent more than $133 million, a 16.6 percent increase in spending over 2009.
“Tourism is an instant revenue generator that keeps our economy moving and employs hundreds of thousands of Virginians,” said Governor McDonnell. “These new figures show that Virginia is doing an excellent job in reaching out to international travelers and positioning Virginia as a premier travel destination.”
CRUSA is the official regional destination marketing organization promoting Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia internationally. Its primary markets are the United Kingdom and Germany, both of which supply large numbers of visitors to Virginia each year. The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC), the Maryland Office of Tourism Development, Destination DC and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority are the supporting partners of the organization which is chaired by Diane Bechamps, vice president of marketing for VTC.
Canada is Virginia’s top international market and VTC employs a targeted marketing strategy aimed at Canadian visitors. The great majority of those visitors come from the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, which are the primary targets for VTC’s Canadian marketing initiatives.
“This increase in international visitors is a strong indication that Virginia’s tourism marketing is right on track,” said Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of VTC. “Our partnership with Maryland and Washington, D.C. is a smart investment for Virginia tourism that is making a significant contribution to Virginia’s economy.”
Tourism is one of Virginia’s largest industries, generating more than $17 billion in revenue, supporting 204,500 jobs and providing $1.24 billion in state and local taxes for the Commonwealth annually. For more information on traveling in Virginia, visit
www.Virginia.org or call toll free 1-800-VISITVA.
Waynesboro Tourism invites fans to help bring LOVE (and tourists) to town
Waynesboro is in the running for a statewide tourism promotion that will bring a giant LOVE artwork to one town in Virginia. As part of the “Bring LOVE to Your Town” event, the Virginia Tourism Corporation will hold a Facebook vote on August 17 and 18 to determine which town will display the artwork. The voting opens at 8:00 a.m. on August 17 and closes at 5 p.m. on August 18. The state tourism office will install the artwork at the winning destination on August 31 and it will be on display through September.
The LOVE artwork is 16 feet wide and eight feet tall and is part of the Virginia is for Lovers marketing campaign which promotes Virginia as an ideal destination for families. Visitors will be encouraged to take a family picture in front of the artwork and share it on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/VirginiaisforLovers and on Twitter, using the special hashtag #LOVEVA.
“Our iconic Virginia is for Lovers brand is about love – pure and simple, and has been for more than 40 years,” said Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “The LOVE artwork has great social media buzz and promotes the message that love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation.”
More than a dozen Virginia localities nominated a local site for the Bring Love to Your Town event. Waynesboro would display the artwork in Constitution Park in downtown.
“Having the LOVE artwork in Waynesboro will help attract visitors from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, I-81 and I-64. Attracting these visitors is a top priority for the tourism office. This is a great marketing campaign from VTC and any community that gets the LOVE artwork will benefit,” said Katie McElroy, tourism director for Waynesboro.
In addition to this opportunity Waynesboro recently received grant funding from the Virginia Tourism Corporation. A majority of those funds will be used to rebrand Waynesboro.
Tourism is an instant revenue generator for Virginia. In 2009 tourism generated $17.7 billion in revenue, supported 204,000 jobs and provided $1.24 billion in state and local taxes.
Visit www.Facebook.com/VirginiaisforLovers starting August 17 to vote for the Bring Love to Your Town nominees.
To learn more about Waynesboro visit www.visitwaynesboro.net or find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Your-Waynesboro-Virginia.
Local projects among those awarded state tourism grants
Gov. Bob McDonnell announced today nearly $800,000 in tourism marketing grant funds for more than 40 local tourism initiatives across the state, including five in Waynesboro.
The Virginia Tourism Corporation awards the grants. Each grant is matched by funds from a minimum of three local organizations and used to support marketing initiatives including advertising, Web development, online marketing and brochures. The 3-1 matching funds provided by local partner organizations leverages the $800,000 in grant funds into more than $2 million invested in tourism marketing. In total, more than 180 public and private partner organizations will work together as a result of the grant program.
The Waynesboro projects receiving funding are the City of Waynesboro’s rebranding and marketing initiative, which received a $28,211 grant; the Artisans Center of Virginia’s “Take Home a Piece of Virginia,” which received a $10,000 grant; the Shenandoah Valley Art Center’s River City Fall Foliage initiative, which received a $10,000 grant; the Waynesboro Parks and Recreation Department’s Run the Valley Series, which received a $5,000 grant; and the Tourism Association of Greater Waynesboro’s mobile marketing program, which received a $4,642 grant.
“Tourism is an integral part of the Virginia economy – providing nearly $18 billion in revenue and employing more than 204,000 people,” McDonnell said. “These grant funds are designed to spur economic development through tourism. The state’s investment maximizes local marketing funds – allowing for localities to double and sometimes triple their marketing power to attract more visitors to local destinations.”
The Virginia Tourism Corporation Marketing Leverage Program is designed to stimulate new tourism marketing through partnerships and to extend the Virginia is for Lovers brand. The objective of this program is to leverage limited marketing dollars, resulting in increased visitor spending. A minimum of three entities must partner financially to apply. Partners may consist of Virginia towns, cities, counties, convention and visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, other local or regional destination marketing organizations, private businesses, museums, attractions, cultural events, and other entities.
“Virginia’s tourism marketing has a proven 5:1 return on investment, meaning that every dollar the state invests in marketing provides $5 back in tax revenue alone,” said Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the VTC. “These grants are a tremendous resource for localities that helps get attention for local destinations and generate the revenue and jobs that tourism creates.”
An Afternoon Tea in honor of Mrs. Monroe
Ash Lawn-Highland, home of President James Monroe, will host a formal tea in honor of the 243rd birthday of Elizabeth Kortright Monroe, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, June 26.
A proper afternoon tea will be served with emphasis on Monroe period etiquette. Guests will also learn the language of the fan, create a greeting card using the centuries old art of paper quilling, play nineteenth century games and dance to period music. A house tour will also be included. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Recommended for ages 8 and over. Reservations required.
Admission to the tea is $20 per person.
More info: www.al-h.us.
McDonnell signs tourism, economic development package
Gov. Bob McDonnell today signed the second part of his “Opportunity at Work” legislative package at an afternoon event at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
The three measures signed today will help to increase tourism and attract new business to the state. The governor was joined at today’s signing ceremony by Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng, members of the General Assembly, Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms, and stakeholders in the retail, tourism and commercial spaceflight industries.
“Economic development and job creation remains my top priority,” McDonnell said. “Over the last year and a half Virginia’s unemployment rate has dropped over 1 percent, and we have added 64,900 net new jobs. But there is more work to be done to help every Virginian get a good-paying, quality job. The three bills I signed today will go far to encourage job creators to choose Virginia and invest in this state.”
“Opportunity at Work” legislation signed today
SB1193 (Norment)/ HB2285 (James) – Creates the Tourism Development Grant Program
- Creates the Tourism Development Grant Program to allow certain locally endorsed tourism projects to temporarily retain a portion of state and local tax revenue generated from the project combined with a matching contribution from the developer to provide gap financing for the project
SB1447 (Wampler) – Revenues to the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority
- Directs revenue generated by commercial spaceflight to the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority to develop Wallops Island as an even more attractive spaceport
HB1587 (Iaquinto) – Creates a Business License Incentive Program
- Permits any county, city or town to provide relief from license taxes to any business locating in such county, city or town for the first time, for the first two years after such location.
New ‘Virginia is for Lovers’ spot unveiled
Gov. Bob McDonnell unveiled a new Virginia is for Lovers television commercial today which is slated to run in eight out-of-state media markets starting in March.
Virginia’s new tourism commercial, geared toward family travelers, features experiences found across the state from beaches to history to amusement parks and outdoor recreation. The new commercial is made possible by Governor McDonnell’s recent increased investment in tourism marketing as an economic development tool. It will return Virginia to television in key out-of-state markets for the first time in four years and will reach 15 million consumers.
“Tourism is an instant revenue generator for Virginia and is one of the smartest investments we can make as a Commonwealth,” McDonnell said. “Every corner of our state stands to benefit from increased tourism marketing which brings more visitors to Virginia. It’s time for Virginia to get back on TV and reach potential travelers as they start planning spring and summer vacations.”
Tourism generates $17.7 billion in revenue, supports more than 204,000 jobs and provides $1.24 billion in state and local taxes.
“Television advertising continues to be one of the most effective marketing tools for tourism destinations,” said Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “Every $1 that Virginia invests in tourism marketing generates $5 in return — providing significant tax revenue for key services across the Commonwealth. This new investment in tourism marketing is a step in the right direction to help Virginia compete, showcase the beauty of the Commonwealth and attract more visitors to our destinations.”
The new TV commercial is part of the Virginia is for Lovers campaign – promoting Virginia as the ideal place for loved ones to completely connect with each other on vacation. Virginia appeals to families who seek vacation destinations with beaches, outdoor recreation, amusement parks, scenic drives, museums, wineries and world-class state and national parks. Virginia’s location, within a day’s drive or less of 60 percent of the U.S. population, makes it easy to get to and adds to the quality time families spend together on vacation.
The Virginia Tourism Corporation will leverage the television advertising in partnership with the Williamsburg Area Destination Marketing Committee, Virginia Beach and Luray Caverns to increase reach to approximately 15 million potential travelers in New York City, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Raleigh/Durham, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. BCF, the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s advertising agency of record based in Virginia Beach, created the commercial using all Virginia-based talent and film and photography crews.
Other components of the Virginia is for Lovers marketing campaign include print and Web site advertising featuring families and friends enjoying experiences found across Virginia, including the great outdoors, historic sites, beaches, amusement parks, motorsports and wineries.
The New Dominion goes tourist
The New Dominion Magazine is spinning off a new print product highlighting local and regional tourism with its March 2011 issue.
Stories, photos and information items will focus on hot tourist spots and things to do in the spring and summer in the Valley and Central Virginia.
The award-winning staff of Crystal Graham, Chris Graham and photographer Mark Miller will be scouring the region for what’s going on to share with New Dominion readers.
The special issue will be distributed for free to more than 50 locations in Staunton, Waynesboro and Harrisonburg.
The advertising deadline for the Spring/Summer Tourism Issue is Feb. 23. The tourism-focused magazine will be available the first week of March.
A second tourism-focused issue is planned for September 2011 focusing on fall and winter activities in the region.
For more information on advertising or to share story ideas or calendar of events entries, call 540.949.6574 or e-mail freepress@ntelos.net.
For more information on The New Dominion Magazine, visit www.thenewdominion.com.
Warner pushes Valley tourist-sector development
It can be like trying to herd cats to get localities to cooperate in the Shenandoah Valley on a strategy to promote the tourist sector.
For one, what is the Shenandoah Valley?
“How do you define the Shenandoah Valley?” U.S. Sen. Mark Warner asked the roughly 30 attendees at a Shenandoah Valley Regional Tourism Roundtable that he convened at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton on Monday.
The discussion that ensued – encompassing political, geological and cultural definitions – demonstrated the difficulty in trying to get people in the Valley tourist sector to come together on a plan of action.
Warner told reporters after the summit that he called together tourism-industry leaders to try to jumpstart the kind of effort that he did with success in Southwest Virginia during his term as governor.
“I’d seen some of the stuff take a little more root in Southwest Virginia,” Warner said. “I just feel like there are such assets here in the Shenandoah Valley, and I think about this as a consumer and as a promoter that it’s still – as much as they’ve got, it could be better. It could be presented better.”
Warner asked participants if it wouldn’t make more sense for localities and travel-industry associations to coordinate their web and print marketing efforts. The feedback: We could, but we could use some help getting there.
“When I was governor, I’d come to an event like this with a check in hand,” Warner joked in response, alluding to the tight fiscal environment in Washington.
A goal for Warner with the summit was to get people in the tourist industry talking – and thinking.
“It’s hard for a local jurisdiction to think, I’ve only got a tiny little bit of money, how do i not just promote what’s in Waynesboro, what’s in Staunton, what’s in Rockbridge? The idea here was saying, maybe you take 90 cents on the dollar and spend it on local, and you take 10 cents on the dollar goes to more regional efforts,” Warner said.
Story by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at freepress2@ntelos.net.
Smith to host tourism summit
Edited by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Waynesboro City Councilwoman Lorie Smith is hosting a Tourism Summit tonight at 6 p.m. at the Charles T. Yancey Municipal Building.
The summit is bringing together local leaders and residents to begin work toward developing a plan to promote Waynesboro as a tourist destination.
The meeting is open to the public, and refreshments will be provided.
