Spotsylvania County has received $10,000 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) DMO WanderLove Recovery Grant Program, a new grant made available to Virginia’s Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) across the Commonwealth that have been heavily impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic to fund recovery marketing initiatives. A total of $866,504 in marketing grant funds were awarded to 90 Destination Marketing Organizations as part of the DMO WanderLove Recovery Grant program.
Spotsylvania County Tourism will use the VTC WanderLOVE grant funds to promote Spotsylvania County as a unique tourist destination, offering many opportunities to connect with the outdoors. From beautiful Lake Anna to scenic walking trails in the county’s historic battlefields--Spotsylvania has it all. Be on the lookout for creative weekend getaways that are just a short drive away, as well as opportunities for fun, food and education, right here in our own backyard.
"Spotsylvania is a hidden gem--full of places to explore, learn about history, relax and enjoy, " says Debbie Aylor, Spotsylvania Director of Tourism. "We are extremely grateful to Virginia Tourism Corporation for these grant funds that will help us share and promote our community to others."
As Virginia begins reopening, there is a lot of pent-up demand for leisure travel and people are seeking safe, close-to-home destinations that allow for social distancing and access to open spaces. With this in mind, the WanderLove campaign provides travel inspiration for road trips, outdoor recreation, hidden gems, small towns, and Virginia’s signature LOVEworks program.
“Virginia tourism is a critical sector of our economy and has been heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Governor Ralph Northam. “Getting travelers back on the road and spending money in our cities and towns is one of the fastest ways to inject dollars back into our economy and our communities. The Virginia Tourism Corporation’s DMO WanderLove Recovery Grants gives localities the ability to market their destination as safe and welcoming when visitors are ready to resume travel.”
Tourism is one of the Commonwealth’s largest economic engines, with visitors to Spotsylvania spending nearly $295 million in 2018, supporting over 3,000 work opportunities and contributing more than $12 million in local and state tax revenue. The tourism and hospitality industries have also been among the hardest-hit by the pandemic, experiencing decreased revenue and job loss, along with the temporary closure of many tourism-related businesses. A revived tourism economy can help spur new economic activity and inject critical funds back into Virginia communities.
About Spotsylvania County
Midway between Washington, D.C, and Richmond, Spotsylvania is a picturesque county, known for being as unique as its name. Visitors can experience an unusually harmonious blend of rural landscapes, outdoor adventures and energetic vibes. This is the place to escape the demands of daily life and explore a unique vacation experience. We invite you to discover all the activities, recreation and rich history it offers. A Spotsylvania vacation is a one-of-a-kind experience, offering many things to do, from touring historic Civil War battlefields, to visiting wineries and sampling the area’s diverse dining, shopping, music and arts.
About Virginia Tourism Corporation
Virginia Tourism Corporation is the state agency charged with marketing the Commonwealth as a premier travel and film destination. In 2018, visitors to Virginia spent $26 billion, which supported 234,000 work opportunities and contributed $1.8 billion in state and local taxes. In 2019, Virginia is for Lovers celebrates its 50th anniversary. To learn more, visit virginia.org