Friday, August 16, 2013

SWAC area localities benefit from state tourism grants


Staunton's Convention and Visitors Bureau got the lion's share of Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Marketing Leverage Grant program for the Staunton-Waynesboro-Augusta County (SWAC) area, announced on Thursday by Governor Bob McDonnell, with $50,000 destined for use in tourism destination marketing, research, and planning.

Tourism is a $20 billion a year revenue generator for the Commonwealth, generally providing 5:1 return in tax revenue and supporting 207,000 jobs. Dollars invested in tourism are proven to provide a 5:1 return in tax revenue for Virginia, and the grant awards and matching funds provide a stimulus to localities seeking to increase tourism visitation and revenue.

Other SWAC localities receiving tourism grants are $3,466 to the Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center in downtown Staunton to increase bus tour business; $3,881 to the Artisans Center of Virginia for website development; and $5,000 to the Waynesboro Tourism for their Mountains to Main Street marketing campaign.

Virginia's tourism industry is marketed as Virginia Is For Lovers, promoting love at the heart of every Virginia vacation.

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