Harrisonburg becomes Virginia Green charter chapter

Harrisonburg Tourism and Visitor Services recently accepted the opportunity to become one of eight charter chapters of the Virginia Green Travel Alliance in Arlington, Virginia at the third annual Virginia Green Travel Conference.

“In the past three years, we have grown our presence in the Virginia Green Travel program with over 30 businesses certified as Virginia Green in Harrisonburg.  Our goal is to increase the number of Virginia Green businesses and events in Harrisonburg in 2016. Specific sectors include lodging, restaurants, attractions, festivals and events,” said Brenda Black, Director of Tourism and Visitor Services.

Along with Harrisonburg the other Virginia Green Charter Chapters include:  Arlington, Blacksburg/Christiansburg/Montgomery, Charlottesville, Discover Prince William & Manassas, Hampton, Richmond Region, and Virginia Beach.

In addition the Stonewall Jackson Inn and Capital Ale House won Green Travel leader awards at the conference for the Harrisonburg area.

Harrisonburg Tourism and Visitors Services will co-host an annual workshop for recruitment and promote Virginia Green through monthly newsletters, social media, and create attractive packages and getaways in partnership with area lodging.

To receive recognition as being a Virginia Green business, businesses must conduct a voluntary self-assessment to check-off from a list of items required to achieve Virginia Green status. The Virginia Green application process is managed through Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality.

DEQ partners with the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association, reaching out to lodging partners, museums, wineries & craft breweries, attractions & amusement parks, restaurants, parks, golf courses, campgrounds, conference centers, welcome & visitor centers, events, convention and visitor bureaus and more! Not to mention, the Virginia Green certification is free! For more information on how your business can become Virginia Green Certified, go here.