Chamber News

Tourism Expenditures over $21,303,550 in Patrick County, Virginia

The Virginia Tourism Corporation has reported that tourism expenditures in Patrick County, Virginia was $21,303,550 for the year 2007.

September 16th, 2008 Patrick County Chamber Announces Annual Tourism Economic Figures based upon the report issued by Virginia Tourism Corporation. The Patrick County Chamber of Commerce announced today that in 2007 tourism generated $21,303,550 in visitor spending, supporting 254 jobs. The figures represent a 1.1% increase over 2006 and points to the importance of tourism to the local economy. Virginia continues to rank as one of the nation’s premiere tourism destinations and it follows that tourism remains a major contributor to the revenues of the Commonwealth and its localities. The annual economic impact of tourism was compiled by the Travel Industry of America for the Virginia Tourism Corporation and indicates just how vital tourism is to Virginia’s economy. “We at the Chamber of Commerce continue to be positive on the importance of the Tourism industry in our community,� said Tom Bishop, Executive Director, Patrick County Chamber of Commerce. “We are happy to report that Tourism spending continues to increase year by year in Patrick County.� On a statewide level, the economic impact data shows that in 2007 visitors spent $18.7 billion in Virginia, an increase of 5.8% from 2006 and ahead of the national domestic travel increase of 4.7%. Tourism also supported 210,000 Virginia jobs. If domestic tourism were its own industry it would be the sixth largest employer in Virginia. “Tourism has such a positive financial impact on Virginia as a whole and on local areas as well,� said Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “You can see how so many of our localities depend on tourism to bring in money and sustain jobs that otherwise would not exist.� The Virginia Tourism Corporation recently unveiled its new Virginia is for Lovers – Live Passionately marketing campaign at its annual statewide tourism conference. The campaign showcases real Virginians who travelers can meet when they visit Virginia localities. VTC will provide localities with marketing support to connect with the campaign and market their local tourism assets to a national audience. Virginia tourism generated $1.2 billion in state and local tax revenue for Virginia’s communities in 2007. The state tax revenue derived from tourism is enough to pay the salaries and benefits of 11,500 new state police officers or educate 78,000 Virginia students. The 2007 total of all local taxes generated by tourism in Virginia was $529.2 million, enough to pay the salaries of 12,000 elementary school teachers and staff. The Virginia Tourism Corporation maintains data on tourism revenue and employment information for state and local levels. Visit www.vatc.org/research for details. For information on planning a trip in Virginia visit www.Virginia.org or call 1-800-932-5627 for a free Virginia Travel Guide. Virginia Tourism Corporation 901 East Byrd Street Richmond, VA 23219-4048 USA TEL (804) 545-5500 FAX (804) 545-5501 www.virginia.org (consumer) www.vatc.org (industry)