Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 9, 1992 TAG: 9201090518
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B7 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Short
AID OFFERED TO BOOST TOURISM
Twelve Virginia communities will be singled out this year for special treatment by the state in advertising their tourist attractions.Two communities each from six regions in Virginia will be accepted into the Virginia Tourism Accreditation Program for standout listings in state travel directories, news releases on their attractions, state aid on an advertising plan, recognition in state welcome centers and state attempts to steer media tours and travel writers their way.
John Strutner, with the state Tourism Development Group, outlined the program at a gathering Wednesday of representatives from Montgomery, Pulaski, Giles, Floyd, Wythe and Washington counties and the cities of Radford and Galax. Applications will be taken April 1-10, Strutner said.
Strutner said localities are encouraged to get together and seek tourism accreditation on a regional basis.
Kitty Ward, public information director for the town of Wytheville, questioned whether the benefits of the program were worth the effort of meeting all the requirements.
Those include having a tourism promotion organization, visitor information and reception center, tourism analysis and improvement plan, program for existing tourist facilities, and providing brochures, events calendars, a community profile, slide and photo library, directory of attractions and services, and a comprehensive marketing plan on the community's tourism promotion.
Ward said it could take months of office work to meet those requirements when she could be out promoting her locality.