MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitors’ Bureau enjoyed a very good 2018 and has its sights on making 2019 a record-breaking year.
According to the bureau’s 2018 annual report, 2,680 people worked in the tourism industry in Monongalia and Preston counties. Tourists spent around $2 million over the year and generated $2.6 million local government revenue and $31.4 million in state tax revenue.
“We focus on two things: one more, one more dollar,” said Susan Riddle, the visitors’ bureau president and CEO. “The more we generate those overnight stays and generate new individuals coming to our communities to spend money in our restaurants, retailers, destinations, whatever that might be.”
Hotel occupancy was up 11.2 %, while demand and revenue increased by 9.5 % and 16 % respectively.