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Statewide visitor spending reached $27 billion
Tourism revenue for Prince Edward County, Virginia reached $27,703,082, a 7.1% percent increase from 2018. Local tourism-supported jobs totaled 261 while local tourism-related taxes were $516,109.
According to the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC), tourism in Virginia generated $27 billion in visitor spending in 2019. The tourism industry also supported 237,000 jobs for Virginia communities and provided $1.8 billion in state and local revenue. Virginia ranks 8th in the nation for domestic travel spending. All data is from the U.S. Travel Association and is based on domestic visitor spending from trips taken 50 miles or more away from home.
The travel industry in the Commonwealth has continued to grow 10 years in a row with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9 percent since 2010. However, these figures do not account for the devastating impact that COVID-19 has had on the tourism industry.
The Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Farmville Downtown Partnership to strengthen and further increase showcasing our community. Through grant applications, a new initiative for The Farmville Chamber, and stronger relationships with organizations such as Virginia’s Growth Alliance, we hope to help gain momentum in bringing tourists to our area.
“COVID has affected every facet of our lives and the economy, including tourism, which our community, like so many around the country, depends on for revenue. During these challenging times, it’s important that we all collaborate and use our creativity to increase tourism throughout the region,” said Magi Van Eps, Tourism Coordinator.
The coronavirus pandemic put the Virginia travel and tourism industry in crisis, and imposed a devastating strain on Virginia’s hotels, restaurants, attractions, and communities. The pandemic caused decreased revenue and a reduced workforce, while some businesses have been forced to shutter temporarily if not completely. As a result, early numbers for 2020 project a sharp decrease in tourism spending.
As the Commonwealth continues to grapple with the impact of COVID-19, the pandemic has further emphasized the stark contrast in 2019 and 2020 and that statewide economic revival cannot occur without the recovery of the travel industry.
While the coronavirus has had a significant impact on Virginia’s tourism economy, the industry remains hopeful for a robust return to 2019 numbers in the future. Tourism will be key to economic recovery as the pandemic stabilizes and leisure and business travel resumes. As Americans begin to travel again, Prince Edward County intends to help restore the tourism economy into the economic engine it always has been.
