FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan. 11, 2008

CONTACT: Liz Chewning

304-558-2288, ext. 315

All-new West Virginia travel guide now available

SOUTH CHARLESTON , W.Va. – The 240-page official 2008 state travel guide is now available to the public.

“The state travel guide is one of the best ways to show potential visitors and vacation planners the best our state has to offer,” said Secretary of Commerce Kelley Goes.

This year’s guide has been departmentalized to make it easier to find information. Stories include telephone numbers and Web sites consumers can use to get more information on attractions of particular interest.

“The guide provides a wealth of information about the state’s top attractions and activities,” said Tourism Commissioner Betty Carver. “It is an essential resource for vacationers as it offers suggested itineraries, a year-long calendar of events and background information on the state’s nine regions.”

It features a contemporary matte-finished cover with a large scenic image of the Gauley River near Summerville Dam in Nicholas County, and line-art illustration by renowned illustrator Tom Post, who also has been commissioned by big-name companies, including Proctor and Gamble, General Mills, Hillshire Farms and others. It offers 40 additional pages of editorial content covering different “wild” and “wonderful” topics. Featured stories are written by professional travel writers and offer first-person accounts of experiencing the state’s wonders in the areas of motorcycling touring, family travel and adventure.

“The guide highlights some of the most-sought places as well as the hidden gems by its use of great editorial content and brilliant photos,” said Liz Chewning, state travel and marketing director.

The Division of Tourism sends free guides to thousands of callers and Web site visitors and is distributed at Welcome Centers and at travel shows across the country and even internationally. To request a free copy of the new guide, contact the Division of Tourism at 1-800-CALL WVA or visit the tourism Web site at www.callwva.com.

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