Visit Blue Ridge weighs in on record-breaking year for tourism
Itโs been a record-breaking year for tourism in the Commonwealth, according to the governorโs office. Visitor spending generated $33.3 billion in Virginia last year.
New owners promise seamless experience at Blacksburg Bed and Breakfast
A locally-owned bed-and-breakfast in Blacksburg is under new leadership and ownership after an overbookings controversy during Virginia Techโs graduation week.
Montgomery County looking to be the next sports recreation destination
Over the last few months, the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Montgomery County Tourism Office has partnered with a sports tourism team to develop a plan for sports tourism growth.
โThe lake is not closedโ: Smith Mountain Lake Community hears update to harmful algal blooms
The Smith Mountain Lake community got to hear more about why some of the lake water has been a blueish-green color.
SURVEY: Summer activities, spots to visit in Southwest Virginia
From grabbing a bite to eat at your favorite local restaurant or dessert shop to hitting the water, there are plenty of things to do and places to visit across Southwest Virginia.
Pipestem State Park adds adventure series
Pipestem State Park in West Virginia has added an attraction called Pipestem Adventures. It includes everything from a half day zipline tour over the nearby gorge to ax throwing and family friendly kayaking.
Roanoke County officials announce Food Truck Thursdays at Green Hill Park
Roanoke County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism is launching an event to make afternoons at the park this summer a little tastier. Officials say Food Truck Thursdays will kick off at Green Hill Park on June 1.
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport considers future plans for travel in the valley
The Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Airport is looking ahead to the next two decades of what travel could look like in the valley.
One giant leap for tourism fun: MoonBikes now available at popular Michigan ski resort
If youโre looking for some winter fun in snow and cold weather, this is something that might make you feel over the moon.
Connecting two valleys: Roanoke County hopes to expand greenway to Montgomery County
The Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission is making sure residents have a say in the path of expanding the Roanoke River Greenway.
Pulaski County wins five awards in Tourism
Pulaski County Tourism received a total of five awards at the annual Southwest Virginia Tourism Awards held in Wytheville, VA on August 22, 2022. These awards, presented by the Friends of Southwest Virginia, recognize the regionโs tourism and marketing efforts.
Here are the nominees for this yearโs Top Adventure Towns contest
From the Star City to the Hill City, there are several towns in our area nominated for the Blue Ridge Outdoors Top Adventure Towns of 2022 contest.
Danvilleโs $650 million casino resort construction begins
On Wednesday, Caesars Entertainment Inc. and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians announced their partnership in the development of the center, Caesars Virginia, and their construction officially begins this week.
โBigfootโ helps bring business to Bedford through new app
The town recently released the Traipse app for the downtown area, where youโre on a scavenger hunt, not for sasquatch, but for information about local shops.
Danville leaders focusing on tourism ahead of casino opening
Since November, Meriwether has been crafting her objectives, including determining peoplesโ interests, educating locals on happenings in the area, and streamlining a visitor guide.
Lynchburg announces seven new digital information kiosks throughout the city
In an effort to promote tourism in the city, Lynchburg has introduced a new way for residents and tourists to learn more about the area.
Danville wants your input on tourism in the area, extends survey deadline
On Thursday, the Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism announced that they are extending the deadline for their 2022 Tourism Survey.
Governor Youngkin announces tourism programs to boost economies across Virginia
On Monday, the Office of Governor Younkin announced that 27 Virginia communities launched new tourism programs to boost area economies, and at the end of implementation, the communities will also receive a $10,000 grant to assist with future plan development.
Up for a drive? Digital Virginia Cider Trail open now through June 25, 2023
The American Cider Association announced on July 6 that they are launching a digital Virginia Cider Trail for Virginians and tourists to explore the Commonwealth.
![Hotel Roanoke spends nearly $500K to create hybrid conferencing capability](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/5dVAlDP3oPp3JvYjK-x2g1mRjKY=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/06-24-2021/t_4088fe1a5f264197bc2cc620828869ac_name_image.jpg)
Hotel Roanoke spends nearly $500K to create hybrid conferencing capability
The Hotel Roanoke has added a half-million dollars worth of upgrades to create sophisticated video conferencing to allow attendees both in-person and on-line. The move will make it easier for groups to meet, even once the pandemic is over.
![Smith Mountain Lake prepares for more visitors during busy season](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/ceBEjQ4ioO3paiB4TBYWJQFIZrM=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/05-20-2021/t_bc0df6ebc4a7481db488522512dac901_name_image.jpg)
Smith Mountain Lake prepares for more visitors during busy season
When temperatures get as hot as they did Thursday, the best place to be is on the water. At Smith Mountain Lake, businesses are preparing to welcome more visitors this summer.
![JH Bards Spirit Co. opens as Pulaski Countyโs first distillery](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/d90DUoqwISUcU5pKmmDa3PA2ips=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/03-25-2021/t_10e6cbee3b4a4a699f715cbc5fe23b18_name_image.jpg)
JH Bards Spirit Co. opens as Pulaski Countyโs first distillery
PULASKI COUNTY, Va. โ Pulaski County is getting its first distillery. JH Bards Spirit Co. opens this weekend. Itโs been two years in the making and a New River Valley location was always part of the dream. AdAs the spirit company hits restaurants and shelves across the country, Pulaski County Administrator Jonathan Sweet said it is showcasing some of the best of Pulaski County and the New River Family. JH Bards Spirt Co. will be open Friday to Sunday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. During the week they will offer private tastings.
![New LOVE sign gives downtown Radford a fresh look](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/AiVGWSDI9YLDY8jQWDISpdhMOgI=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/03-16-2021/t_cba9f1393be04cc89abcd45ca0892c4d_name_image.jpg)
New LOVE sign gives downtown Radford a fresh look
RADFORD, Va. โ Downtown Radford has a new attraction. At the corner of Virginia Street and East Main Street, the new LOVEworks display serves as the starting point for the downtown area revitalization process that the city is working on. Already helping to launch other projects, a local arts group started encouraging residents to take their pictures by the sign using #LoveRadford. At the corner of Virginia Street and East Main Street, the new LOVEworks sign is on display. This sign joins the other 250 LOVEworks signs across the commonwealth state in an old campaign designed to promote tourism.
![Homestead Resort cutting back on hours as coronavirus pandemic continues](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/up3xaf5ROTwtvjeVVruJMR9ZzIY=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ARCCCZDCXFHMDDSZW7U5AKBS7M.jpg)
Homestead Resort cutting back on hours as coronavirus pandemic continues
HOT SPRINGS, Va. โ Starting next year, Bath Countyโs biggest employer is making some major changes. Beginning Jan. 4, the Omni Homestead Resort will be open from Noon Thursday until 3 p.m. Sundays. โAs we enter into the new year at The Omni Homestead Resort, we have made the very difficult decision to alter our hours of operation in January. Itโs been a difficult 2020 for the resort, closing March 29 to reopen three months later on June 29. Click here for more information about the resortโs changes to its hours of operation
![Virginia Tourism Corporation awards $80,000 in grants to SW Virginia municipalities](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/XO3OHPAWAHmik8WnhELPIu0kExw=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/11-20-2020/t_f613f4e0f9394ec18719e40e7ae298a8_name_image.jpg)
Virginia Tourism Corporation awards $80,000 in grants to SW Virginia municipalities
ROANOKE, Va. โ Tourism boards in Southwest Virginia received a financial boost to help attract visitors through the COVID-19 pandemic. The Virginia Tourism Corporation awarded a total of $80,000 to five tourism boards. The awards included:$20,000 for Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge$20,000 for Botetourt County$20,000 for the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce$10,000 to the Town of Rocky Mount$10,000 to the City of SalemVisit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge President Landon Howard said his organizationโs $20,000 will be spent mostly on online marketing. He believes regional travelers will look to the Roanoke Valley for a getaway. โThose people may not be traveling to Europe for a two or three week vacation, but they will do weekend trips to places like Virginiaโs Blue Ridge.โ
![Peaks of Otter Lodge looks to make financial comeback with fall tourism](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/YZ-Wz1fPmMBbfmJSypFLzBOgxBI=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/10-12-2020/t_c8a3f2570cf24f0f8150aefdda72f399_name_image.jpg)
Peaks of Otter Lodge looks to make financial comeback with fall tourism
BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. โ We are in the midst of peak fall foliage and that means peak business for some in our area. โItโs been an extremely challenging year,โ said Jean Hoell, general manager of the Peaks of Otter Lodge. October typically brings reds and yellows on the trees and for the Peaks of Otter Lodge, that means green. Those customers during peak season help the lodge stay afloat the rest of the year and now, theyโre counting on the leaves to build that back. The Peaks of Otter Lodge is booked solid for the next few weekends and will close for the season at the end of November.
![Tourism officials tout Highlands as ultimate fall road trip destination](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/oWfdUp1rFLMyfEBBohOp9mT998k=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/10-02-2020/t_5e7093106b0c4a18923678a5fe4f408f_name_image.jpg)
Tourism officials tout Highlands as ultimate fall road trip destination
Thereโs no arguing: Fall is one of the most breathtaking seasons in Virginia. Many are choosing to mark the season with a road trip, and the Alleghany Highlands region is a popular choice. Officials with the Omni Homestead Resort said fall is the perfect time to visit Hot Springs. Swann said with more than 2,000 acres, the Homestead has something for everyone this fall, from the Cascades Golf Course, to horseback and carriage rides, to hiking to Falling Spring Falls. Tourism officials said many choose to take their road trip further and make stops in places like Charlottesville, Richmond and Williamsburg.
![Welcome center in Radford gets new home](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/rGQZLWL5yAOJ0oz39cKePySl3bo=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/IXVBPRHTYBGPJMJGUBIRZDW34M.jpg)
Welcome center in Radford gets new home
RADFORD, Va โ The City of Radford has a new place to welcome people in an effort to boost tourism. The Information and Visitors Center opened up its new location on West Main Street in hopes of being able to provide information about what the city has to offer. Tourism Director Deborah Cooney says the new venue will allow people to make the most out of their visits to the city. โWe promote all the wonderful things to do in Radford to people outside of Radford, to encourage them to come here and enjoy our trails, enjoy the river, enjoy all the local businesses we have,โ Cooney said. Although most large events in the city have been canceled this year because of the pandemic, tourism leaders have already started to plan how to safely host events next year.
![Local tourism efforts to get a boost with new marketing grant](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/H9mxlAcLk_IH2OJ1hDJFDeWsOLo=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/08-04-2020/t_a418ca84e2b64b28a4c9124e89985d48_name_Recovery_grants_for_tourism_marketing.jpg)
Local tourism efforts to get a boost with new marketing grant
ROANOKE, Va. โ Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge has just been awarded a $10,000 tourism recovery grant. The organization will use that money to enhance branding efforts, marketing the region as a hub to experience metro-mountain adventure, especially to cities within driving distance. โWeโre really working hard to find that balance of inviting people to the region as well as making sure that are residents are safe as well, but itโs all about really helping the businesses sustain and recover from this pandemic,โ said Catherine Fox, vice president of public affairs and destination development for Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge. The Virginia Tourism Corporation has awarded more than $866,000 in marketing grant funds to 90 organizations across the commonwealth.
![Smith Mountain Lake receives nearly $10,000 to boost tourism](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/xwx0NlTRhCASQ7bvbQG01Br9fAY=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/07-30-2020/t_4872f8f8630d4ae6ae39fdced10ae183_name_image.jpg)
Smith Mountain Lake receives nearly $10,000 to boost tourism
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Va. โ Smith Mountain Lakeโs chamber of commerce received financial assistance Thursday to help the region economically bounce back from the coronavirus. The chamber accepted a $9,995 grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation to entice visitors to the area. The money will finance a tourism commercial specifically for Virginians, according Smith Mountain Lakeโs Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Christopher Finley. โWhen the commonwealth pivoted back to Phase 2 and Phase 3, vacationers were willing to get out,โ Finley said. Those visitors included Terry McGhee, who said he watched Smith Mountain Lake fill up as a child.
![Masks to be required in North Myrtle Beach starting July 2](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/oYmQExZf6UJXFJJs9pvWHVL0m9s=/1280x720/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/PPLVQVRU25EJDJJF666VQ4FJ6I.jpg)
Masks to be required in North Myrtle Beach starting July 2
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. โ If you have a trip planned to North Myrtle anytime soon, make sure to pack a mask. The North Myrtle Beach City Council passed an emergency ordinance on Tuesday which requires people to wear masks in certain places, including retail businesses like grocery stores and pharmacies. The ordinance goes into effect at 12 p.m. on Thursday. Plus, all restaurants, retail businesses and government offices must require their employees to wear masks at all times while having face-to-face interaction with the public. Each day of a continuing violation would be considered a separate offense, according to the ordinance.
![Going on vacation during the pandemic? Hereโs what you need to know](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/0p9v3ML5pHHr2bygozD703Tawjo=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/06-29-2020/t_e75197504fc043918213e52e20a28da3_name_image.jpg)
Going on vacation during the pandemic? Hereโs what you need to know
ROANOKE, Va. โ Summertime is here and for many Virginians, that means taking some much-needed time off for a vacation. โI think Virginians can go on their travel vacations, but they just need to use the same good practices that theyโve been using at home,โ said OโDell. AAA spokesman Morgan Dean told 10 News that vacationers need to plan ahead and take extra precautions. Are you or those youโre traveling with high risk or do you live with someone whoโs high risk? If you do travel, the CDC says know the restrictions and consider the risks of different transportation.
![Homestead Resort reopens after three months due to COVID-19 restrictions](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/ehrD7HKuAm8Woh8PmCNC9jcLKNY=/640x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/MM4YKRSSUJB63J6XKJ6P26WNKM.jpg)
Homestead Resort reopens after three months due to COVID-19 restrictions
The Omni Homestead Resort was forced to shut down for three months because of the pandemic. We closed the resort on March 29 and now three months later, June 29, we are reopening to our guests, said Lynn Swann, director of marketing and communications for the Omni Homestead Resort. The resort is also reopening to employees. Changes include barriers separating associates from guests, enforced social distancing, strict cleaning policies, daily health screenings for workers and limited amenities. The Homestead reopening is good news for the entire area, as the resort is Bath County's largest employer.
![Visit Viriginiaโs Blue Ridge invites businesses to take safety pledge](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/2vPgLJ31Dg1WWEjScHAFdzde-Mk=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/06-11-2020/t_be36c6fb67ba4546a509ec0574bdc02e_name_image.jpg)
Visit Viriginiaโs Blue Ridge invites businesses to take safety pledge
ROANOKE, Va. โ As travel season gets underway and families hit the road, Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge wants everyone here at home and those visiting to know theyโre safe in the Roanoke Valley. That's why VBR is asking businesses to take the "Stay Safe Pledge." The pledge asks businesses to promise to follow recommended guidelines from the CDC and public health officials and post the pledge on their storefront. VBR says that helps create an environment of safety while getting more people back in local businesses. The Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge visitorโs center will open back-up starting Friday to help people navigate their stay.
![Tourism slowly rebounding in Virginiaโs Blue Ridge](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/WoCgoEQX09oOy9j7lVEV_ti77Ec=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/06-05-2020/t_b03fa3ae3fc44cf8b7beef875eb63921_name_image.jpg)
Tourism slowly rebounding in Virginiaโs Blue Ridge
ROANOKE, Va. โ Tourism in Virginiaโs Blue Ridge is starting to rebound now that the state has begun to reopen. Landon Howard, President of Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge, said Thursday a lot of families from Virginia and North Carolina are asking for information about outdoor activities. Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridgeโs visitors center in Roanoke will reopen June 12. According to data provided by Visit Virginiaโs Blue Ridge, tourism industry revenue was down an average of 70% over the last three months compared to last year. Heโs also still hopeful there will be a strong rebound in tourism in 2021.