Wild, Wonderful West Virginia to Host National Travel and Tourism Week Events Throughout State

Series of events celebrates travel and tourism in the Mountain State

Charleston, WV, (April 20, 2016) — Wild, Wonderful West Virginia, in collaboration with local partners, will host a series of events showcasing the many wild, wonderful activities in West Virginia to celebrate the U.S. Travel Association’s National Travel and Tourism Week, May 1-7, 2016.

“We are very excited to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week. Our team has worked collaboratively with industry partners to line up a diverse series of events which showcase some of the many things to see and do in the Mountain State and also highlights an experience each member of the team is passionate about,” Commissioner of Tourism Amy Shuler Goodwin said. “Whether you’re an adrenaline-junkie, a music aficionado, or a foodie, we invite you to join us for this weeklong celebration of travel and tourism in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia. Don’t forget to share your story with #GoToWV.”

National Travel and Tourism Week was established by a congressional resolution in 1983 and hailed as “America’s annual salute to travel and tourism”. The week of events serves to champion the power of the tourism industry. In West Virginia alone, tourism accounts for more than 4.5 billion dollars in revenue annually (Dean Runyon), with a return on investment (R.O.I) of 7 dollars to every dollar spent advertising (Longwoods).

In addition to the events, Wild, Wonderful West Virginia will launch its Snapchat account.  All events are open to the public.  See schedule of events for more detailed information or contact the event lead (noted below).

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday, April 28, 10 a.m.

Real. Mountain Beauty: The GoToWV Team will host a press conference in collaboration with the Department of Transportation and the Motorcycle Safety Council to kick off Motorcycle Safety month. The GoToWV team will unveil the new Scenic Drives guide at the press conference which will be followed by a motorcycle ride across the New River Gorge Bridge.
Location: New River Preserve – Bridge Overlook
Address: 130 Laurel Creek Rd, Fayetteville, WV 25840
Contact: Jane Bostic | Jane.M.Bostic@wv.gov 304-957-9335

Monday, May 2, 9:30 a.m.

Real. Play: The GoToWV Team in collaboration with River Riders Inc., will host a day of aerial adventures in Historic Harpers Ferry.  2-hour climb $49 (use promo code AP0RD online for $2 discount)
Location: Adventure Park at Harpers Ferry River Riders
Address: 408 Alstadts Hill Road | Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
Contact: Will Miller | william.c.miller@wv.gov 304-957-9315

Tuesday, May 3, 10 a.m.

Real. Drive: The GoToWV Team will host a morning of golf at the Oglebay Driving Range in collaboration with the Wheeling CVB and Oglebay Golf. The 30-tee range will be open for use.  $3 club rental and $6-$8 basket of balls rental (www.oglebay-resort.com/golf/par3.html).
Location: Speidel Golf Club at Oglebay Resort
Address: 465 Lodge Drive | Wheeling, WV 26003
Contact: Vicki Vaughan | Vicki.L.Vaughan@wv.gov 304-957-9225

Tuesday, May 3, 6pm

Real. Mountain Flavor: The GoToWV Team will dine at Café Cimino to experience one of the 101 Unique Places to Dine in West Virginia.  Tune in on Twitter to get the insider experience.  Later in the evening join owner Melody Urbanic for a Periscope tour of the facility and grounds.
Location: Cafe Cimino Country Inn
Address: 616 Main Street | Sutton, WV 26601
Contact: Joe Black | Joe.A.Black@wv.gov 304-957-9335

Wednesday, May 4, 6 p.m.

Real. Thrills: The GoToWV Team will host a trail run with local runners. The event is open to dogs, provided they remain on leash and are well behaved.
Location: Kanawha State Forest, beginning at Swimming Pool Parking Lot
Address: 7500 Kanawha State Forest Drive | Charleston, WV 25314
Contact: Andrea Bond | Andrea.B.Bond@wv.gov 304-957-9347

Thursday May 5, 10 a.m.

Real. Escape: The GoToWV Team will host an introduction to fly fishing in collaboration with Elk Springs Resort.  Fly fishing guides and staff will be on hand at the trout pay pond and the mill pool on the Elk River located on the resort property, for techniques and pointers.  Equipment rental will be available. 
Location: Elk Springs Resort and Fly Shop
Address: 14 A Dry Branch Road | Monterville, WV 26282
Contact: Loarie Butcher | Loarie.H.Butcher@wv.gov 304-957-9314

Friday, May 6, 8:30 p.m.

Real. Mountain Music: The GoToWV Team will celebrate the state’s booming live music scene at the  Purple Fiddle with a performance by the Christian Lopez Band .  Founded by Shepherdstown natives, the band was recently named “Best Newcomer” at the Americana Music Festival by Rolling Stone. The GoToWV team will also officially launch the new GoToWV Snapchat account. Tickets for the event are $10.  
Location: The Purple Fiddle
Address: 96 East Avenue | Thomas, WV 26292
Contact: Meghan Smith | meghan.e.smith@wv.gov 304-957-9344

Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m.

Real. Adventure: The GoToWV Team will host a trail ride in collaboration with Hatfield McCoy CVB, Hatfield McCoy Trail System, Greenbrier Off Road Adventures, @jeepbeef_wv, Official @jeepbeef and @jeepher Chapter of West Virginia, West Virginia Jeep Club and High Country Offroad to showcase offroading in West Virginia.  Single day trail permits will be available for $1 at the trailhead.  All Hatfield McCoy Trail System rules apply:  bit.ly/1TEsiNA (helmets required).  
Location: Hatfield McCoy Trail System – Bearwallow Trailhead
Address: 247 Bearwallow Drive | Ethel, WV 25076
Contact: Tina Stinson | tina.l.stinson@wv.gov 304-957-9338

Real. Excitement * Real. Family Time * Real. Mountain Flavor * Real. Adventure * Real. Fun * Real. Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.  You can find it here.  Call 800-225-5982 or visit GoToWV.com.  Share your Real. West Virginia stories on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with #GoToWV and #RealWV.

This post was last updated on April 20, 2016