When you hear the word tourism in the Richmond Region, Richmond International Raceway is typically close to the top of the list; attracting tourists to the Richmond Region twice a year since 1959.
RIR “paints the town” on NASCAR weekends, and the Commonwealth is electric when racing comes to town. Local businesses pledge their support by hanging banners, handing out coasters, buttons, pens and necklaces. You’ll even find the Richmond International Raceway pace car on display in the airport! That’s one of the reasons that makes America’s Premier Short Track a Dedicated Partner for travel and tourism in the Richmond Region.
As part of a celebration during National Travel and Tourism Week (May 4 – 8, 2015), RIR was recognized with the Dedicated Partner Award for its ongoing efforts to enhance the richness and quality of life in the Richmond Region for not only visitors, but residents as well. RIR was selected solely by the staff of Richmond Region Tourism for its outstanding partnership and continued collaboration within the tourism industry.
“Our NASCAR race weekends are not only a big deal to Richmond International Raceway, but to Henrico County and the entire Richmond region,” said Dennis Bickmeier, Richmond International Raceway President. “From fans to teams, people are staying in local hotels, eating in local restaurants and shopping at local stores. We’re proud to be a long-standing tourism catalyst for the region.”
Tourism is at the heart of RIR and the Richmond Region. With 7 million visitors bringing more than $2 billion to the area, tourism is very much a part of the daily life of everyone in the Richmond Region. In conjunction with Henrico County and Richmond International Raceway, Richmond Region Tourism recently announced the results of the 2014 hotel occupancy study that saw occupancy records shatter, thanks in large part to the race weekends at RIR. April 26, 2014, the date of the Spring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at RIR, represented the highest occupancy rate in the Richmond Region for the year, at 94.6%, which is virtually a sell-out. And it’s not just the highest hotel occupancy of 2014; it’s the highest number the Richmond Region has ever seen.
Not only does RIR serve as an economic driver for tourism, the track is often recognized for its involvement in the community. In April 2015, Richmond was named as one of the “Top 10 Best Cities for Relocation” by the Huffington Post. RIR was listed specifically as one of the reasons why moving to the River City should be at the top of your list. With Richmond’s unique culture, ideal weather, and decadent food paired with RIR’s rich NASCAR history and short track racing – the RVA has something for everyone.
RIR and the Richmond Region are one in the same. A dedicated partnership that helps bring visitors to the area and residents closer to the region they live in.
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Chris Graham
