Lovingston
Nelson County, VA
VIa The Nelson County Tourism Bureau
Governor Bob McDonnell’s recent announcement that tourism in Virginia became a $20 billion industry in 2011 was good economic news not just for the Commonwealth as a whole. Data released by the United States Travel Association reveals that every locality in Virginia posted an increase in tourism revenue last year
According to the USTA, tourism in Virginia generated $20.4 billion in revenue, an eight percent increase over 2010. Tourism also supported 207,000 jobs in the Commonwealth and provided $1.32 billion in state and local taxes. In terms of those numbers tourism is the third largest industry in Virginia.
Tourism was again an important contributor to the local economy in 2011. Tourism revenue for Nelson County eached $169.68 million, a 6.9 percent increase over 2010. Local tourism-supported jobs totaled 1560, while local tourism-related taxes were $4.9 million. All data was received by the Virginia Tourism Corporation from USTA and is based on domestic visitor spending (travelers from within the United States) from per person trips taken 50 miles or more away from home.
Nelson County Board of Supervisor Chairperson Tommy Harvey reported the news to the Board, noting that, “Tourism has been a strong economic strategy for Nelson County, improving the quality of life for our residents and helping to keep the tax rate affordable. Nelson’s tourism businesses, farms, lodging, restaurants and shopping, all contribute to our local economy.”
“The support that we’ve received from the Governor’s administration and the General Assembly has been essential to keeping tourism strong – especially during challenging economic times,” said Rita McClenny, interim president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “This new economic impact data shows that the investment is paying off and that Virginia’s tourism industry is headed in the right direction.”
The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) is the state agency responsible for marketing Virginia to visitors and promoting the Virginia is for Lovers brand. 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.
