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May 2025 Virginia 500 Spotlight: ALLIE EVANGELISTA
From Brazil to Virginia, Evangelista's journey spans hotel housekeeping, cultural exploration, and insights on AI's future in hospitality.
Virginia scores big with booming sports tourism industry
Henrico and other Virginia counties see major economic growth from sports tourism, with events and new venues boosting jobs, tax revenue, and visitors.
Va. casinos report $85M+ in March revenues
March gaming revenues from Virginia’s three casinos totaled $85.19 million, according to an April 15 report from the Virginia Lottery. March’s statewide casino gaming revenues were up $10.02 million from February’s $75.17 million. Last month, Hard Rock Bristol casino reported about $21.33 million in adjusted ga[...]
Newport News aims for summer music festival
Newport News is preparing to launch a major music festival this year to boost tourism and support area businesses. Mayor Phillip Jones says the city is currently trying to attract national talent and is reviewing applications from people and organizations wanting to help organize, partner with and promote the festival. Although [...]
Tourism: New attractions open, break ground statewide
Virginia gained several tourism attractions in the last year, from casino resorts to sports facilities, and saw more projects get underway. In 2024, Virginia’s three casinos brought in about $732.2 million in adjusted gaming revenues, up nearly 32% from 2023. Part of that increase can be attributed to the Caesars Virginia [...]
Petersburg City Council grants zoning approval for $1.4B casino resort
Petersburg City Council and Planning Commission unanimously gave final approval Tuesday for the zoning permits for Live! Casino Resort — paving the way for site development work to start in preparation for the construction of the multi-phase project. The $1.4 billion casino resort, which will be built on an undeveloped 100-acr[...]
Fairfax casino bill appears to be dead, following subcommittee vote
A bill that would have given Fairfax County the right to hold a casino referendum is likely dead for the 2025 session, after passing a vote last week in the Virginia State Senate. Senate Bill 982, introduced by Democratic Sen. Scott Surovell, was passed by for the day — in other words, not passed along […]
Playa Hotels & Resorts to be acquired in $2.6B deal with Hyatt
Resorts owner, operator and developer Playa Hotels & Resorts has entered into an agreement to be acquired by an indirect subsidiary of Hyatt Hotels for approximately $2.6 billion, including approximately $900 million in debt, the hospitality companies announced Monday. Playa Hotels & Resorts is a Dutch public limited lia[...]
Fairfax casino legislation passes in Va. Senate
A bill to allow Fairfax County residents to hold a casino referendum passed in a Virginia State Senate vote Tuesday. The measure will next go before the Virginia House of Delegates for consideration. Senate Bill 982, introduced by Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, passed in a 24-16 vote in the Senate, along bipartisan lines, with [...]
Norfolk focuses on cruise and entertainment tourism
The “city surrounded by water” — Norfolk — is going through “an evolution, putting in necessary investments to stay on top of the times” as a tourism destination, says Sean Washington, the city’s director of economic development. The city is expanding its cruise center to accommodate an influx of passengers yea[...]
Fairfax casino bill moves forward in Va. Senate
A Virginia State Senate bill that could bring a casino to Tysons won a vote in the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, pushing it forward to a full Senate vote later in the Virginia General Assembly session. If passed by the state legislature and signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Fairfax County voters would have the […]
Va. casino revenue rose 32% in 2024 over previous year, lottery reports show
The house always wins, Virginia’s three casinos proved in 2024, raking in nearly 32% more in adjusted gaming revenues than in 2023. Some of the gains are related to the fact that Danville‘s Caesars Virginia opened its temporary facility midway through 2023 and was in operation throughout 2024. According to data prov[...]
