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August 4, 2023
Dear Valued Tourism Partners:
Hard work and resiliency pays off and it’s time to spread some good news! We are pleased to share that earlier this week Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Virginia Tourism Corporation announced that Virginia’s tourism industry generated $30.3 billion in visitor spending in 2022. Here are some highlights of the state data which was just released:
- Tourism in Virginia directly supported 210,721 jobs.
- Travelers spent $83 million per day in Virginia, up from $69 million in 2021.
- Virginia visitors directly drove nearly $2.2 billion in state and local tax revenues, an increase of 19.1% from $1.8 billion in 2021.
- Overnight visitation to Virginia increased by 10% to 42.2 million visitors, up from 38.3 million in 2020.
When the locality data is released (Fall, 2023) and the specific data on the economic impact of tourism on Virginia Beach is published, we will provide the same in this newsletter, staying accountable to you, our valued partners. Read the entire press release here.
Our public relations team works proactively to earn media opportunities, ensuring the Virginia Beach brand is top of mind and our destination is featured regularly in travel media outlets. This week we’re proud to share that 1608 Crafthouse’s Roasted Bone Marrow & Oysters dish is one of the dishes featured in the Forbes article: 40 Delicious Ways To Celebrate National Oyster Day (forbes.com).
First Friday ViBes - Don't forget to check out First Friday Vibes and all the happenings in The ViBe District starting tonight, the First Friday of August!
CVB Sales Activity and News: The M&C Sales & Service team is preparing for an extremely busy fall with sales travel, site visits and groups meeting in our city. Our services team will be managing eight major citywides with transportation and housing components from the beginning of September through the end of November in addition to other site visits and groups in between. Jamie Rawls had two opportunities for personal engagement with guests during site visits this week and Jim Coggin was in Chicago where he was working on growth for our Group Tour market segment and attended the Heritage Club Board meeting. Heritage Club is the premier organization devoted to Bank Club Loyalty travel programs. In Sports Tourism, the team is preparing for an action-packed week in Virginia Beach as they proudly host three thrilling sporting events. First up is the All-Star Empire Volleyball Camp at the Virginia Beach Sports Center, where 30 of the top volleyball athletes in the country and their families will experience top-notch coaching and facilities at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. Next, the 2023 Military Battle at the Beach softball tournament takes place at the Princess Anne Athletic Complex, featuring 400 athletes in a showcase of dedication and camaraderie. Football fanatics can't miss the 2023 Beach Bash Football Jamboree at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex, a gridiron spectacle filled with electrifying plays and teamwork. These events not only display outstanding athleticism but also embody the spirit of sportsmanship and community. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for another week to remember here in Virginia Beach. Also, this weekend at the Convention Center, we’re excited to welcome back the Tattoo Arts Festival, which opens today, and tomorrow we welcome for the first time the Reptile Expo, growing our show calendar.
Traffic Changes Scheduled to Begin Aug. 7 ~ Work will occur at Cypress Avenue & 15th Street and Baltic Avenue.
- Cypress Avenue & 15th Street: Beginning Monday, Aug. 7, Virginia Beach Public Works will close the intersection of Cypress Avenue and 15th Street due to stormwater improvements as part of the North Lake Holly Watershed Improvements project. Detours will be set to reroute traffic to adjacent streets until work is complete and will reopen immediately upon completion. Advanced warning signs will be posted advising motorists of the detours and closures. Weather permitting, the intersection is scheduled to reopen Aug. 11. For more information, contact Shannon Bruce with Tidewater Utility Construction Inc., 757-944-0795.
- Baltic Avenue: Due to construction, a lane shift for Baltic Avenue from Laskin Road to 30th Street will occur beginning Monday, Aug. 7. Two-way traffic will still be maintained. Weather permitting, work is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 7-10 and Aug. 14-17. Advanced warning signs will be posted advising motorists of the work ahead. The road will be open fully by 4 p.m. each day. For additional information, contact Nate Nickel with Bissette Construction Corporation, 757-545-8500.
National Lighthouse Day - As a destination with two famous lighthouses, we are delighted to share that this Monday, Aug. 7 is National Lighthouse Day at the Cape Henry Lighthouse. From 10 am to 5 pm, residents and guests will have the rare opportunity to climb the old and new lighthouses as both will be open to the public. There will be children’s games and activities, special displays, food, drinks, and fun! The site is on an active military base so be sure to check out the Cape Henry webpage for details on how to visit or call 757-422-9421.
‘Virginia Legends Live!’ Brings History to Life on the Oceanfront - A shout out to Mike Hilton and our partners at Live on Atlantic! for the great Beacon story about their exciting programming for the ‘Virginia Legends Live!' history series, another example of the free, unique entertainment available here in Virginia Beach. Read Lee Belote’s story here.
Going Beyond - Inside the immersive van Gogh exhibit - Congratulations to the team and our partners at the Virginia Arts Festival for the Daily Break cover story in the Virginian-Pilot by Colin Warren Hicks. The writer shares a detailed accounting of the experience in his article found here.
Last Call for Survey on Planning for Future Regional Transportation - The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization is updating the region’s Long-Range Transportation Plan to the horizon year 2050. Take a few minutes to share your thoughts on factors that can change the way the region develops, and how we travel to places we live, work, and play. Read the details and take the survey here. Please submit responses by Tuesday, Aug. 15.
EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
The CVB Events Calendar for July 1 - December 31, 2023 may be found here. To view the Resort area entertainment schedule, click here. For Town Center events and activities, click here.
My team and I are committed to you and our industry and are here to help any way that we can. Please let me know how we can assist you
Sincerely,
Nancy Helman
CVB Director
CVB Strategic Pillars:
Engagement|Growth|Brand|Culture|Accountability
Note: Hotel occupancy data was not available to us at publishing.
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