Davis, W.Va. — The Tucker County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) recently released its annual report, reporting strong results for tourism in 2023. The report highlights significant growth driven by a strategic marketing approach and continued investment in the visitor experience.
The CVB’s mission is to enhance the tourism industry in Tucker County. To fulfill that mission, the CVB spends the majority of its budget on advertising. At the end of 2023, the CVB expenditures reflected 74% on advertising, 22% on payroll and 4% on operational expenses. This focus, exceeding industry guidelines, has yielded impressive results. The spring/summer “Take in Tucker” campaign garnered 44 million impressions and 105,000 clicks, while the targeted winter “Ski The Valley” campaign reached over 7 million users and generated 91,000 clicks.
Compared to 2021, total impressions and engagements from spring/summer campaigns increased by 863%, demonstrating a substantial increase in Tucker County’s visibility. This success is further amplified by a three-year video series launched in late summer 2023, showcasing Tucker County from the perspective of frequent visitors.
Despite experiencing marginal winter weather, the winter season continues to be a major draw for Tucker County. This trend is expected to continue with phase one of the snowmaking project underway at Canaan Resort, coupled with exciting new activities such as SNO-GO ski bikes introduced in the 2023/2024 winter season. Insights from KeyData show that winter remains the peak season for visitors, with February leading in vacation rental occupancy, followed closely by July.
The CVB actively fosters collaboration through sponsorship opportunities. In 2023, the CVB distributed a total of $13,275 in marketing sponsorships to 10 different organizations. These organizations host various events throughout the year that help attract visitors to the area. The organizations that received sponsorship included Cranberry Joe (CV Half Marathon, Moonlight Under the Falls and CV Trail Run), the Sunrise Scramble, the Parsons VFD Triathlon, the Highlands Trail Foundation (Blackwater Canyon Run), the Tucker County Fair, Five River Campground, ArtSpring, Creature (Thomas Artwalks), Mountain State Brewing and the Alpine Festival (Celebration of the Arts and Leaf Peepers).
The CVB also introduced a new tourism sponsorship program. The CVB’s first tourism sponsorship partner, the Heart of the Highlands Trail System (HOH), exemplifies the commitment to enhancing the visitor experience. The funds from this sponsorship directly contributed to supporting the HOH Project Coordinator position, which oversees the management of a Federal Lands Access Program grant for the construction of the Headwaters Trail, a three-mile stretch connecting the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Canaan Valley Resort State Park.
To apply for either sponsorship opportunity, contact Jessica Waldo, Executive Director, by email to obtain an application form.
Additionally, the CVB successfully hosted the 2023 West Virginia Governor’s Conference on Tourism, reported by the West Virginia Department of Tourism as the best-attended conference to date. The event is renowned for its educational and networking opportunities, catering to individuals at every stage of their tourism careers.
To view the 2023 Annual Report, visit the Tucker County CVB website at 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.
