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Growth spurt
As the economy has been on the rise, so have hotels in many parts of Virginia. During the past 12 months, Virginia’s hotel industry has seen more than a billion dollars invested in hotel construction and renovation — everywhere from Richmond to Bristol. “The bulk of that is new construction,” says Eric Terry, preside[...]
Pharrell Williams-backed surf park on its way
After almost a year of negotiations, Virginia Beach City Council has struck a deal with Venture Realty Group to develop a mixed-use surf park and entertainment venue covering three city blocks near the oceanfront. Called Atlantic Park, the $325 million project will be built on the 10-acre site of The Dome, the geodesic concert v[...]
Finding its vibe
Lynchburg is cool, and people are starting to notice. The Hill City still has its big, well-established players, such as Liberty University and BWX Technologies. Liberty, with its 7,000-acre campus and its online programs, has more than 2,500 faculty teaching more than 111,000 students. Its operations are estimated to generate m[...]
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation taps new executive director
American Civil War Museum CEO Christy Coleman has been tapped as executive director of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. She replaces the foundation’s longtime leader, Philip G. Emerson, who is retiring on Dec. 31 after 28 years. Coleman, who starts at JYF on Jan. 21, previously held leadership positions at the Charles H.[...]
Colonial Williamsburg appoints new CEO
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has appointed Cliff Fleet, the former head of Philip Morris USA, as the organization’s ninth president and CEO. Fleet will start his new role on Jan. 1. Fleet, who served as president and CEO of the Henrico County-based cigarette manufacturer from 2013 to 2017, will succeed Mitchell R[...]
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation executive director announces retirement
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Executive Director Philip G. Emerson will retire at the end of December after serving in a leadership role there for 33 years, the foundation announced Monday. Emerson was named executive director in May 1991, making him the third executive director in the agency’s 62-year history. The Jamesto[...]
International tourism to Virginia hits new record
Virginia's international tourism visitation surpassed 1.1 million in 2018.
Airbnb sites in Virginia see nearly 372,000 summer visitors
Virginia Beach leads the commonwealth in guests and host income.
State tourism spending on the rise
Tourism-related spending rose by 4.4% in Virginia last year, increasing to $25.8 billion.
Visitor spending in Virginia grew 4.4% last year
Tourism industry supported 234,000 jobs in 2018.
