State tourism industry looking for the rebound

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Those businesses in West Virginia which cater to tourism are beginning to see the restart of their life blood.

West Virginia Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby

As Gov. Jim Justice has loosened restrictions on those businesses which can restart amid the pandemic, slowly the tourism industry is coming back. But it has a long way to go, according to state Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby.

Ruby said what was not expected and was a pleasant surprise, was the increased business from in-state residents.

“We’re seeing West Virginians getting out and exploring their own state. There are so many people who have had to cancel their summer vacations or postpone them until they fall and they’ve decided to take a West Virginia ‘stay-cation.'” Ruby told MetroNews Friday.

Figures from the West Virginia State Parks back up Ruby’s assessment. State Park bookings during the month of May and so far inĀ  June are up by 50 percent over the same time a year ago. Initially only West Virginia residents were welcomed in the State Parks, but that has now been lifted and out of state residents can also come to the state’s campgrounds, cabins, and lodges beginning next Wednesday. Ruby said privately owned lodging services are seeing a similar bump from West Virginians.

“West Virginia is a state of social distancing. We did it before it was cool. You don’t have to look very hard to find a wide open space or a crowd free location where you can get out, relax and enjoy the great outdoors,” she said.

While the rebound is on, it’s been a brutal blow to many of those businesses which are built on guests. Ruby admitted some may not be able to survive, but added the majority of those businesses are finding a way.

“Our tourism businesses in West Virginia and all of our small businesses are very resilient. They want to come back. They’re really working hard to take advantage of the federal programs and to find ways to make this work,” she said.





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