Published: March 28, 2006 11:39 pm         

Continuing growth seen in W.Va. tourism industry

Betty Carver says West Virginia’s tourism industry continues to grow and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

“We chart the growth of state tax receipts generated by travel spending,” said Carver, commissioner of the state Division of Tourism. “We have enjoyed 11 percent growth since 2000.”

The growth figures are amazing.

In 1990, travel spending generated $165 million in tax receipts, but by 2004 that figure had grown to $526 million.

“Tourism in West Virginia really has an unlimited potential,” Carver said. “The state of West Virginia’s tourism industry is very good and I just see us getting stronger.”

Carver points to the outstanding and variety of tourist attractions in the state as reasons for continued growth.

“Look at The Resort at Glade Springs in this area,” she said. “It is an absolutely beautiful resort. We have a lot of infrastructure investment going on in a variety of outdoor activities.”

Carver said the Division of Tourism has a $3 million budget and 70 full-time employees.

“This includes our main office in South Charleston and the eight welcome centers around the state,” she said.

Carver said the agency’s small budget creates challenges.

“Trying to serve as the marketing agency for the state’s entire tourism industry is a challenge,” she said. “We certainly have our plates full. That is why it was important today to get the word out to tourism business that there is $12 million available in grant money and $12 million in matching grant money to promote their businesses.”

Carver said she hopes to see more tourism businesses interested in the grant program.

“We want everyone who is eligible to apply for these grants to apply,” she said.

Carver said the agency’s funding comes from money the state receives from video slot machines that are located at the state’s four racetracks.

“We get 1.375 percent of the money the state gets from video slots,” she explained. “We would like to attract more people to the state’s racetracks so that we would have even more money to promote tourism.”

Carver worries that as neighboring states come online in the gaming industry it will mean less money for West Virginia.

“We enjoy more funding into the program when the racetracks are enjoying more visitors,” she said.

West Virginia’s tourist activities are appealing to both young and old alike, Carver said.

“Heritage tourism activities are on the rise, especially with seniors, and the young folks are more into the extreme activities,” she said. “We have something for everyone in West Virginia, from wild to mild.”

Carver said the state’s geographic location offers great tourism weather.

“We have four distinct seasons and I think tourists like that,” she said. “West Virginia winters are great for snow skiing, and summers are great for whitewater rafting. We have beautiful fall foliage and great spring weather as well. We have the most beautiful scenic byways and highways for a nice spring drive.”

Carver said West Virginia is an outdoor playground for tourists.

“We offer everything from rustic camping and snow skiing to world-class resorts and some of the best whitewater rafting in the world,” she said. “We have mountain climbing, horseback riding and so many other outdoor adventures.”

Carver said the national attention from the Sago Mine disaster in January has also brought a lot of attention to the state’s coal mining industry.

“We are getting group tour requests to see mining in the state,” she said. “That is why places like the Exhibition Coal Mine in Beckley are so important to tourism growth in the state.”

Tuesday at Glade, Carver was explaining the new tourism grant changes and rules.

“It is extremely important that we keep tourism businesses up to date with any new rules or regulations,” she said.

Carver said the agency is attempting to simplify the tourism grant application process.

“We want to make it as user-friendly as we can,” she said.

Carver said partnerships coming from those in the industry are also having a positive effect.

“We are seeing tourism businesses partnering on vacation packages,” she said. “Tourism agencies are working with tourism business to keep on top of market changes, new faces and other important happenings.”

For additional information about tourism in West Virginia, visit the division’s Web site at www.callwva.com.

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