Davis, W.Va. — The Tucker County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) hosted the 2023 West Virginia Governor’s Conference on Tourism on September 10 through 13 at Canaan Valley Resort. The event featured valuable educational sessions and networking opportunities, and had a record-breaking attendance, with over 300 members of the tourism industry present.
The highlight of the conference was Governor Jim Justice’s announcement regarding the incredible tourism numbers for 2022. Last year marked a pivotal time for West Virginia’s tourism industry, with an economic impact exceeding $7 billion. This number reflected a remarkable 17% increase in visitor spending compared to pre-pandemic levels, in stark contrast to the overall 1% post-pandemic recovery experienced across the United States.
Tourism Economics, an affiliate of Oxford Economics specializing in measuring tourism spending and economic impact, reported that West Virginia attracted $5.3 billion in direct expenditures from visitors in 2022. The thriving tourism industry not only contributed significantly to the state’s economy but also had a profound effect on the local workforce. With over 53,000 jobs sustained across West Virginia, it now accounts for one out of every 16 jobs in the state. These jobs generate nearly $2 billion in annual income, substantially contributing to the prosperity of our region.
The 2023 Governor’s Conference on Tourism’s success can be directly attributed to the businesses in Tucker County. The Tucker County CVB would like to extend its gratitude to the local businesses that played a significant role in making the conference a success, including the businesses that remained open for the Art Walk in Davis and Thomas. Special recognition goes to John Bright and the staff at the Purple Fiddle, as well as Yessi and the staff at Picnic in Thomas for their outstanding contributions, including fantastic food at the Welcome Reception. The enthusiastic response from conference attendees underscores the excellence and hospitality of the Tucker County businesses.
“We are proud of the remarkable growth in not only our State’s tourism industry, but also Tucker County’s. The Governor’s Conference was a testament to the community coming together and their dedication to the tourism sector,” said Jessica Waldo, Executive Director of the Tucker County CVB. “We want to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this success.”
The Tucker County CVB looks forward to a promising future for the tourism industry, working hand-in-hand with statewide partners to ensure that West Virginia remains a top travel destination. For more information, visit gettuckered.com.
About the Tucker County Convention and Visitors Bureau
The Tucker County Convention and Visitors Bureau is a nonprofit marketing and sales organization whose mission is to promote tourism and advertise Tucker County as a visitor-friendly travel destination.