Patrick County Tourism Council Speaks to Benefits of Tourism
May 10, 2008
Patrick County Tourism Advisory Council is joining with the Virginia Tourism Corporation and travel partners across the state to highlight the economic and local benefits of tourism during National Tourism Week ( May10 to May18).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
PATRICK COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS DOLLARS AND JOBS FOR NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK
Tourism is a $17.7 billion industry in the state of Virginia supporting 208,000 jobs and generating $1.2 billion in state and local taxes. Locally here in Patrick County, in 2006, visitor spending brought in over $21 million and generated over $675,000 in taxes. Recent tourism success stories such as Primland have helped Patrick County support and grow tourism, providing vital support to the state and local economy.
Virginia is one of the top states in America for tourism and research bears out what the tourism dollar means for the Commonwealth. According to data from the Travel Industry of America, domestic travel expenditures were directly responsible for generating more than 208,000 in Virginia in 2006 - and those jobs paid nearly $4.3 billion in payroll. On average, every dollar spent by domestic travelers produced 24 cents in payroll income for Virginia residents in that year.
"Tourism contributes every day to the quality of life in Virginia." said Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. "The state taxes alone generated by tourism would be enough to pay the salaries and benefits of more than 11,500 new state police officers, pave 1,900 miles of state roads...or fund the education of over 80,000 Virginia students.
The Patrick County Tourism Advisory Council is a broad-based group of county volunteers operating at the request of the Board of Supervisors to make recommendations to the Board and to assist the County Administrator's Office on tourism matters. The Advisory Council has developed a Hospitality Directory that will soon be available that details all of the tourism related businesses in Patrick County. This tool will be invaluable to Patrick County businesses in matching tourism interests and needs with local businesses.
Virginia's state tourism office is encouraging Virginians to get out and travel their own backyard. As gas prices soar, in-state vacations are an ideal was to save gas money, experience Virginia's history,heritage, dining and adventure and support the state's economy.To begin planning a Virginia Vacation visit www.Virginia.org or call 1-800-932-5827 a free "Virginia Is For Lovers Travel Guide".
To discover more about adventures in Patrick County, VA visit http://www.co.patrick.va.us/ and click on "Tourism".
More information about tourism revenue and employment information for state and local levels is available at www.vatc.org/research .
MARY JO and CHARLIE LEET
geobuilt@earthlink.net
cell :937-631-4377
home: 276-694-6700
