Norfolk airport adding JetBlue service in April
JetBlue will start service from Norfolk International Airport on April 30, offering seasonal daily nonstop flights to Boston’s Logan Airport, Norfolk airport officials announced Wednesday. The airline will be the ninth commercial carrier at Norfolk’s airport, and its 140-seat Airbus A220 aircraft will depart Norfolk at 6 p.m., arriving at 7:29 p.m. in Boston daily […]
Youngkin proposes eliminating tax on tips in Va. budget
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday a budget proposal to exempt service tips from Virginia’s state income tax, an idea that’s gained bipartisan support federally. In a statement, Youngkin said that Virginians who receive tips — hair stylists, restaurant workers, bellhops and other service industry professionals — would benefit from being able to claim deductions on […]
Buc-ee’s eyes Stafford for third Va. location
The most recognized — perhaps only — hat-wearing beaver in the travel center industry is eyeing a third location in Virginia, this time in Stafford County. Texas-based travel center chain Buc-ee’s has submitted a conditional use permit application to Stafford County for a 74,000-square-foot travel center with 120 fueling stations on about 36 acres on […]
Fed’s Fifth District economy sees mild expansion
Economic activity in the Federal Reserve’s Fifth District (a multistate region including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Maryland) expanded mildly in recent weeks, according to the latest edition of the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, released Wednesday. Published eight times per year, the Beige Book is based on anecdotal information about economic conditions gathere[...]
Hampton Roads hotel revenues outpace Va., country
Hotel revenues in Hampton Roads outpaced Virginia and the nation through October, according to a report from Old Dominion University’s Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy, citing data from STR, a division of CoStar Group that provides market data on the U.S. hospitality industry. Through October, hotel revenues were 22.8% higher in Hampton Roads, […]
High cost, higher rewards
Michael Meyers is always looking for an advantage. Like many in the meetings industry, the Greater Richmond Convention Center’s general manager has seen his facility’s costs spike from inflation. Likewise, the price tag to run conferences has increased, so planners and venues are striving to ensure a good return on investment for attendees. And to […]
Fed’s Fifth District economy shrinks slightly
The economy in the Federal Reserve’s Fifth District (a multistate region including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Maryland) contracted slightly in recent weeks, according to the latest edition of the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, released Wednesday. Published eight times per year, the Beige Book is based on anecdotal information about economic conditions gathered [...]
Buc-ee’s buys land for second Va. location
A second Buc-ee’s Super Center is coming to Virginia along a busy stretch of highway in Shenandoah Valley near Mount Crawford. Buc-ee’s Mt. Crawford LLC purchased 21.3 acres located at the intersection of Interstate 81 and Friedens Church Road in Rockingham County from Lispen LLC for $6.6 million, Norfolk-based S.L Nusbaum Realty announced Tuesday. Plans […]
New federal per diem rates provide bump for hotels
The federal government’s fiscal 2024 per diem reimbursement rates — released Aug. 16 by the General Services Administration — will largely benefit Virginia’s hotels, but not necessarily its restaurants. The continental United States (CONUS) rates — dictating lodging allowances and meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) for federal employees while traveling — will be effective Oct. [&[...]
Va. hotel revenues up, rooms sold still lower than 2019
Virginia’s hotel industry is continuing its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, but revenue increases are being driven by high room rates, rather than more travelers. That’s according to a report released Friday by Old Dominion University’s Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy. According to the center’s analysis of data from STR Inc., a division […]
Plans revealed for second Buc-ee’s Va. location
Buc-ee’s appears to be planning its second Virginia location, this time along Interstate 81 in Rockingham County near Mt. Crawford. According to a post on the county’s Facebook page, Buc-ee’s, the Texas-sized travel center chain, has applied for a special use permit for review and approval of a proposed sign plan. The Texas-based retailer is […]