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Norfolk Tourism Foundation names new director
The Norfolk Tourism Foundation and VisitNorfolk announced Thursday that Kelsey Backe is the foundation’s new director. “I am thrilled to be able to join the Norfolk Tourism Foundation and to put my skills to use supporting our current hospitality workers, our future hospitality workers and tourism research initiatives that w[...]
Feb. statewide hotel revenues were 6.1% lower than 2019
February hotel revenues in Virginia were 6.1% lower than those recorded in February 2019, according to data released Monday by STR Inc., a division of CoStar Group Inc. that provides market data on the U.S. hospitality industry. Hotel rooms sold decreased by 5% last month, compared with 2019 levels. The average daily rate (ADR) [...]
Mountain Lake Lodge promotes general manager to CEO
Mountain Lake Lodge, where 1987 hit movie “Dirty Dancing” was filmed, announced Thursday the promotion of Heidi Stone to president and CEO. Stone has served as the Pembroke hotel’s general manager since 2013. “Heidi Stone is a talented hotelier whose proven leadership and commitment is reflected through her [...]
McGlothlins make nearly $60M gift to VMFA
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts announced Tuesday that Bristol-area philanthropists James W. and Frances Gibson McGlothlin have donated nearly $60 million toward the Richmond museum’s expansion campaign, including 15 paintings. Alex Nyerges, the VMFA’s director and CEO, said that a 170,000-square-foot wing will be n[...]
$42M tennis campus planned for Loudoun County
Loudoun County will soon be a new hub for American tennis. The United States Tennis Association Mid-Atlantic Section (USTA MAS) announced plans Thursday to build a 36-court, $42 million tennis campus in Loudoun County. And when the campus is complete in 2025, the nonprofit tennis organization, which is currently based in Herndon[...]
Williamsburg hotel sells for $4.47M
A former Park Inn by Radisson hotel in Williamsburg has been sold for $4.47 million, Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer announced Thursday. The 122-room hotel, located at 2007 Richmond Road, was purchased by The Tapestry Group Inc. in partnership with SBG Richmond Road LLC from SHNI Corp. as an IRS Section 170 bargain sale tran[...]
Take a hike
Amid the ongoing pandemic, Virginians have escaped to the outdoors, enjoying the commonwealth’s varying recreational activities. “Since the pandemic started, people have wanted to get out of their homes and explore,” says Virginia Tourism Corp. Communications Manager Andrew Cothern, “and there’s so much to do in Virgin[...]
Reclaiming glory
Mark Spadoni took on the role of managing director at The Omni Homestead Resort to help restore the iconic hotel, which turns 256 years old this year. “It’s a great responsibility,” he says. “We want to maintain the past but make it relevant to moving forward. The goal is to set it up for the […]
Hard Rock names president of new Bristol hotel and casino
Hard Rock International Inc. has announced a president to lead its hotel and casino operations in Bristol. Allie Evangelista most recently served three years as a vice president and general manager for Penn National Gaming operations, including the past seven months at Hollywood Casino Perryville, in Maryland. Evangelista has &#[...]
Churchill Downs to buy Colonial Downs, Rosie’s parent company
Churchill Downs Inc., known for the Kentucky Derby, has entered an agreement to acquire Peninsula Pacific Entertainment LLC (P2E), the parent company of Colonial Downs Group and Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums, for $2.485 billion, the company announced Tuesday morning. CDI’s acquisition includes properties not only in Virgi[...]
Va. hotel revenues down 6.5% from Jan. 2019
Virginia hotel revenues in January were 6.5% below January 2019 levels, according to data released Monday by STR Inc., a CoStar Group division that provides market data on the U.S. hospitality industry. During the same period, hotel rooms sold decreased by 4% compared with 2019 levels. The average daily rate (ADR) paid for hotel[...]
SeaWorld makes $3.4B offer for Kings Dominion parent company
A reported $3.4 billion acquisition bid from Orlando-based SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. could result in Virginia’s two major theme parks being under the same ownership. SeaWorld, parent company of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, has made an unsolicited offer to acquire Ohio-based Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., which owns the Kin[...]
