CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Governor’s Conference on Tourism is gathering in Charleston this week, offering professionals and students in the field opportunities to network while learning more about how tourism affects the state.
The conference began Sunday and will last through Wednesday at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Chelsea Ruby, secretary of West Virginia Department of Tourism, says West Virginia’s attraction as a destination continues to grow.
“What I love about tourism is it impacts everybody in every county of West Virginia,” Ruby said Monday. “We’ve seen growth in all 55 counties since the governor and the legislature started investing in tourism about seven years ago.”
West Virginia has experienced significant milestones, with the state’s tourism’s economic impact exceeding $7 billion in 2022 and producing a 7% increase in visitor spending when compared to the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, visitor spending in West Virginia has increased by 30% since 2016.
Ruby said more people recognize that West Virginia has attributes that add up to a good vacation.
“West Virginia is exactly what travelers are looking for these days,” Ruby said. “People are looking for uncrowded places, they’re looking for unique and local experiences, and they’re looking for outdoor recreation. Whether it’s hiking and rafting or it’s just being able to go outside and enjoy the great outdoors. We have those things in West Virginia, and that’s why the state keeps growing in tourism numbers.”
Ruby said social media has played into West Virginia’s favor in the effort to show off the state’s beauty.
She said, “75% of people booked a vacation last year based on a post they saw on social media. At the same time, we know that people are scrolling on their phones 3.5 miles a year, so we’ve got to find a way to stop the scroll, to get somebody to stop and say, ‘that’s a place I want to go,’ and then to book a trip.”
Despite the success Ruby has seen in her time as tourism secretary, she says the momentum needs to stay in West Virginia’s favor.
“We’ve got to keep it going,” Ruby said. “We’ve got to keep the momentum going, so we need to get more people visiting, we need them to stay longer, and we need them to spend more money.”
Tourism numbers for 2023 are due to come out in the coming weeks.