CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While there is pain across West Virginia’s coal fields with mines closing and layoffs happening almost every month, the state’s tourism industry continues to thrive.
With more young people traveling to the Mountain State, the industry is shifting its marketing focus.
Amy Shuler Goodwin, Commissioner of Tourism for West Virginia and Deputy Secretary of Commerce, said they’re targeting the millennial generation.
“Most of what we’re spending right now is digital. People still want to have that map, but what they want now more than ever is the app,” she said of the app called GoToWV, which lists nearby events, offers suggestions and allows a user to create personal travel plans. It’s available on a smartphone or tablet.
Over 70 industry members participated in this year’s West Virginia Adventure Day at the state Capitol Monday. Booths were set up to display different activities, events and attractions throughout the state.
“We’re here to showcase, not only to members of the House and Senate what we’re doing in their own communities, but to the general public,” Shuler Goodwin told MetroNews.
The demand, as far as the multiple activities out-of-state travelers are looking to do when they arrive, is higher than ever, she said. Tourism officials are now marketing in “layers” to showcase a lot of activities — not just one.
“That’s our charge is to show people it’s not just a one hit wonder, there’s lots of things to do in West Virginia,” said Shuler Goodwin.
She said the way to grow West Virginia is to build upon the industries that are thriving.
“We have some of the best rock climbing in the world. We have some of the best white water rafting in the world and so we really need to focus on those industries. We’re talking about 46,000 jobs. We’re talking about $5.1 billion that we inject into the economies in West Virginia.”
But Shuler Goodwin said the only way to get more people to visit is to invite them.
“I can want you to come here all day long, but unless I ask you to come to my house, you’re not coming,” she said.
Travel and tourism information is available at GoToWV.com.