2017 Annual Report

Image Credit: Montgomery County Tourism Office HOSPITALITY & TOURISM TOURISM SPENDING TOPS $143.8 M InSeptember2017, theVirginiaTourismCorporation released its 2016 report on the Economic Impact of Domestic Travel on Virginia and Localities. The report, prepared by the U.S. Travel Association, examined tourism spending in Virginia by U.S. visitors traveling 50 miles or more away fromhome. According to the report, tourism spending in Montgomery County reached $143.8 million in 2016, a 3.2 percent increase over 2015. Visitor spending was estimated to have generated $9.2 million in combined state and local taxes for Montgomery County and the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg. The report also found that the local tourism industry supported 1,401 jobs and had an annual payroll of $28 million. The Montgomery County/Blacksburg/Christiansburg VA Regional Tourism Office collaborates with local hospitality and tourism businesses, advocacy organizations, local government, secondary and higher education institutions, and civic organizations to attract visitors to the area for first-time, as well as repeat, visits. There is a focus placed on the months of December to March, which tend to be slower for travel to the area. The program also promotes longer stays and additional spending by building awareness for events and attractions throughout the community. “Whether visible or not to the casual observer, tourism to Montgomery County affects nearly every sector of industry through direct and indirect visitor spending,” says Lisa Bleakley, Executive Director of the Montgomery County Regional Tourism Office. “Economic Development departments today find that the tourism folks can add a human side to their pitch for business location or relocation. After all, a great place to visit normally translates into a great place to work!” $121.8 $129.4 $132.6 $136.3 $139.5 $143.8 $0 $30 $60 $90 $120 $150 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 (in millions) TOURISM SPENDING, MONTGOMERY COUNTY The Montgomery County Tourism Office introduced board members of the Virginia Association of Counties to area attractions in May of this year.

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Montgomery County , Virginia | Home of Virginia Tech and the Towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg