by Chelsea Ruby
You did it.
For the past five years, the Department of Tourism has asked you to celebrate West Virginia’s birthday by sharing your favorite Almost Heaven places and moments on social media. You’ve responded in a huge way: tens of thousands of posts that have been seen tens of millions of times and showcased every corner of our state.
And it worked! Together, we turned around the state’s tourism industry and started setting records. And we’ve transformed perceptions of West Virginia. Suddenly, our state is one of the hottest tourism spots in the world, making the 2022 top-destinations lists of Condé Nast, TIME, USA Today, Lonely Planet and Frommer’s. No other place on the planet even came close.
When we organized the first West Virginia Day social media takeover, we knew it would make an impact, but wow! We had no idea what amazing results it would set in motion.
The premise is simple: Social media influences most travel decisions. And it gives West Virginia the potential for a big marketing advantage. For one thing, it’s visual, and there’s no place more beautiful than West Virginia.
For another, it bypasses traditional marketing and lets people who are passionate about something communicate that feeling directly to other people. That’s why it’s powerful. And no one is more passionate about their state than West Virginians.
Now let’s keep it going. This year we have more than ever to celebrate. America’s newest national park, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, was a smashing success in its first year, garnering 30% visitor growth and worldwide media attention. This year is sure to set another record.
The travel experience has finally returned to normal after two years of COVID-19 closures and restrictions. West Virginia tourism is fully open for business. Tourism will contribute close to $5 billion to our economy this year and support 45,000 jobs.
New tourism investment is booming, with more than $250 million in projects in the pipeline. Just last month, White Sulphur Springs welcomed the Schoolhouse Hotel, the world’s first all-ADA compliant hotel. In Fayetteville, a group of three retired school buildings is being transformed into a boutique hotel, modern apartments and townhomes.
Our state parks are completing $151 million in maintenance and improvements, including a new lodge at Cacapon Resort State Park and renovations at every lodge and cabin in the system. Last year’s state park visitation set a record, and this year’s is on pace to break it.
The state has two new tourism trails to highlight our natural beauty and country roads. The West Virginia Waterfall Trail debuted last week, featuring more than two dozen waterfalls around the state and prizes for visiting them. And the West Virginia Mountain Rides program features the state’s most beautiful scenic routes, aimed at attracting motorcyclists and drivers alike. The first official Mountain Ride was launched last month: Seneca Skyway, which starts in Lewisburg and winds through the Allegheny Highlands to Canaan Valley and Green Bank.
And, of course, West Virginia is as gorgeous and inviting as always. Summer is upon us. The hills are lush and vividly green. Adventure awaits.
Just in case you need another reason to get out there and enjoy what West Virginia has to offer, we’ve picked Instagram-ready scenic overlooks in every region of the state where you can snap a postable pic. Students at Nicholas County Career and Technical Center have built Almost Heaven photo backdrops for each site — super-sized wooden swing sets where you can take in the unbelievable views. On June 20, the locations will be revealed at www.wvtourism.com/views.
So let’s step up to the challenge again this year. Show the world what you love about West Virginia. Celebrate her birthday by visiting your favorite Mountain State spot, taking a picture, and posting it on social media using #AlmostHeaven for all to see. There’s no better way to show off your West Virginia pride — and help create West Virginia jobs while you’re at it.
