May 26, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caryn Gresham
304-558-2288, ext. 347
cgresham@wvtourism.com

Tourism officials expect Memorial Day weekend, summer travel to be busy

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Despite the travel industry’s fears that high gas prices could keep potential travelers at home this summer, West Virginia tourism officials say the state is poised for a busy travel season, which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) last week released its summer travel forecast. It predicts overall national travel volume growth of less than 1 percent this year largely due to high fuel prices and “relatively soft travel intentions.” TIA surveys suggest that auto travel will be closer to home and that destinations near major population centers could benefit.

“West Virginia is located within a few hours’ drive of some of the most populous cities in the country,” said Tourism Commissioner Betty Carver. “Because of the high gas prices and because we’re so close to metropolitan areas including Washington and Pittsburgh and Columbus, we think we’ll be on the short list of vacation spots for many families whose travel budgets have been trimmed because of higher everyday costs.”

Carver said that while higher fuel costs would only add about $30 to $50 to the average vacation, daily gas costs have affected overall household budgets, leaving consumers feeling strained to save money on their vacations.

In addition, overnight leisure travel to West Virginia already is trending upward, according to the state’s latest travel data, said Liz Chewning, state travel director. Longwoods International, an international travel research firm, this week reported that in 2005, West Virginia’s overnight leisure travel was up 11 percent compared with 2004, she said.

“That’s significant growth for West Virginia and higher than national averages,” Chewning said. “More people are coming here and staying overnight, which means we’re accomplishing our goal to make West Virginia a destination and vacation spot, rather than just a beautiful place to visit on a day trip.”

Chewning added that the state’s current tourism advertising is targeting Washington and other surrounding metropolitan markets with “one-tank away” messages and gas card giveaways. Some advertisements are even on top of gas pumps, she said. “These ads appeal to that top-of-mind awareness that while gas prices are hitting our wallets and purses pretty hard, West Virginia offers a great option for folks who want to get away without spending all their budget on transportation,” she said.

While Carver said she hopes residents in neighboring states look to West Virginia for a gas-saving vacation this year, it’s an even more attractive option for West Virginians. Gov. Joe Manchin has been touring some of the state’s destinations in the last week, encouraging West Virginians to vacation in their home state this summer and to discover the places where he loved to vacation as a child.

“West Virginia is a great vacation spot in the summer and our outdoor recreation is top-notch,” Carver said. “From whitewater rafting to museums, summer festivals, crafts and food, there’s a variety of activities right here that will keep the whole family entertained. It all starts with a phone call to 1-800-CALL WVA or by clicking on callwva.com.”

Travel counselors at the state’s 1-800-CALL WVA tourism hotline provide free maps, travel guides, reservations and vacation information from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. to noon on Sundays. The official state tourism Web site, which includes the most comprehensive West Virginia tourism information on the Internet, is www.callwva.com.

The Division of Tourism has special interest Web sites to help travelers check out ideas and planning suggestions for some of the state’s most popular activities. Those sites are:

www.wvtraditions.com
www.wvescapes.com
www.wvgolfing.com
www.wvriversports.com
www.wvweekends.com

For more information about West Virginia tourism research, visit the tourism reports section under the “industry information” tab at www.wvtourism.com. The Travel Industry Association of America provides travel forecasts and national tourism trends information on the media section of its Web site at www.tia.org.

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