Latest news with #WestVirginiaDepartmentofTourism
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
2 new Almost Heaven swings brought to north central WV
CLARKSBURG, (WBOY) — The West Virginia Department of Tourism has announced the installation of three new Almost Heaven swings, two of which can be found in north central West Virginia. According to a press release from the department, Tygart Lake State Park in Taylor County and Valley Falls State Park in Marion County have both seen the addition of new Almost Heaven swings, which make for popular photo spots across the Mountain State. West Virginia Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby is hopeful the new swings will encourage people to enjoy and share the outdoors of West Virginia. 'It is so exciting to see folks traveling from near and far to visit our Almost Heaven swings,' Ruby said in the release. 'These make the perfect photo-op for folks to enjoy during their spring travels and beyond. Now is the perfect time to plan your spring trip to the Mountain State!' Armadillos could expand into West Virginia If you visit one of these swings, you are encouraged to share any pictures you take to social media using #AlmostHeaven. Another swing was added to Sportsman's Park in Wirt County. There are now 36 Almost Heaven swings in West Virginia. You can see a full list of locations and find one near you on the West Virginia tourism website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PROGRESS 2025: Residents can participate in free tourism education program
charleston — A new online training program in the Mountain State aims to introduce more area residents to tourism. Gov. Patrick Morrisey introduced the online 'Tourism Works' platform in early March as part of the state's drive to grow its tourism industry and create more jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors. The online education program is designed to enhance hospitality skills and training among the state's tourism workforce and everyday West Virginians. Created in partnership with the West Virginia Department of Tourism and Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, Tourism Works is a free online course that gives learners the chance to earn one hour of college credit from Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. All West Virginians, not just those seeking college credit, are encouraged to enroll in the course, which highlights the many regions, small businesses, history and culture that makes the state their home, according to Morrisey. The course focuses on West Virginia small businesses and communities. 'This is one of my favorite days and I enjoy it because it gives West Virginia a chance to really show off,' Morrisey said of Tourism Day, which he used to unveil the new online platform. 'Tourism Day at the capitol couldn't be any better, and I know that all of you and all of West Virginia, are very proud of what this state has to offer. Our state's natural beauty, our outdoor vistas, our adventure, our historic places and quite frankly our delicious food. We attract people from all across the country that visit West Virginia.' Tourism is one of the main drivers in West Virginia's economy, Morrisey said. 'Every year tourism produces an economic value of over $8.7 billion dollars,' the Republican governor said. 'Visitor spending supports more than 60,000 jobs total and as many as 73,000 employed in the leisure and hospitality sectors in the state. That's a lot. Think about the workforce participation we have. Tourism is a huge driver. ' The new online program will help more of the state's residents and people moving to the state have opportunities to enter the tourism sector, said West Virginia Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby. 'Thanks to Gov. Morrisey, the West Virginia Legislature, the Department of Education and all of our amazing partners across the state, the future of tourism has never looked brighter,' Ruby said. 'This sector currently includes 70,000 hospitality and tourism jobs in West Virginia with an expected 21,000 job openings each year. The Tourism Works program is a wonderful resource for anyone looking to gain experience in a thriving industry.' 'These are good paying jobs and these are reasons for people to stay in West Virginia or for new people to come visit our great state,' Morrisey said. People who want to take the free course can search West Virginia Tourism Works free online training.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Governor Morrisey announces online education program, Tourism Works
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — Governor Morrisey announced the creation of an online tourism program designed to boost jobs and tourism education throughout the Mountain State. According to a press release, Tourism Works is designed to bolster hospitality skills and training in the state. The announcement was made with support of more than 200 professionals in the tourism and hospitality industry at the State Capitol in celebration of the industry's record-setting $8.7 billion yearly impact. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve saw record visitation in 2024 As Governor, one of my top priorities is to grow our economy, our population, and our workforce. Our tourism and hospitality industry is one of the best in the country, and it will be a crucial part of West Virginia's economic future. The new Tourism Works program builds on our welcoming and friendly culture, ensuring every visitor to West Virginia feels at home in the Mountain State. Governor Patrick Morrisey Thanks to Governor Morrisey, the West Virginia Legislature, the Department of Education and all of our amazing partners across the state, the future of tourism has never looked brighter. This sector currently includes 70,000 hospitality and tourism jobs in West Virginia with an expected 21,000 job openings each year. The Tourism Works program is a wonderful resource for anyone looking to gain experience in a thriving industry. Chelsea Ruby | Secretary, West Virginia Department of Tourism Through collaboration between the West Virginia Department of Tourism and Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, Tourism works is a free online course that offers its students the opportunity to gain an hour of college credit from Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. All West Virginia residents are encouraged to enroll, and course highlights include small businesses, history, and culture within the Mountain State. 2025 West Virginia Vacation Guide announced by Governor Morrisey Tourism Day at the Capitol, held on March 12, 2025, was one of the biggest celebrations of the industry in recent years. More than 200 tourism and history professionals from all nine travel regions in the state attended. Students from both the Monongalia County Technical Education Center and the Nicholas County Career and Technical Center attended as well, and highlighted training programs by serving pastries, coffee, and food created by students. For more information and to enroll in the course and other trainings, visit their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Morrisey announces creation of ‘Tourism Works' program
CHARLESTON, (WBOY) — In an effort to bolster West Virginia's tourism and hospitality industries, Gov. Patrick Morrisey has announced the creation of the new online education program 'Tourism Works.' A release from Gov. Morrisey's office detailed how the program will 'enhance hospitality skills and training among the state's tourism workforce and everyday West Virginians.' The program is a partnership between the West Virginia Department of Tourism and Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, and gives participants a chance to earn a free hour of college credit. While offering college credit, the program is also open to all West Virginians. The program is said to highlight 'the many regions, small businesses, history, and culture that makes our state home.' Cicadas returning to West Virginia in 2025: What counties will see them? Gov. Morrisey announced the creation of the program Tuesday alongside more than 200 tourism and hospitality industry professionals at the State Capitol for Tourism Day, which celebrated the industry as a whole as well as its 'record-setting $8.7 billion annual economic impact.' 'The future of tourism has never looked brighter,' West Virginia Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby said. 'This sector currently includes 70,000 hospitality and tourism jobs in West Virginia with an expected 21,000 job openings each year. The Tourism Works program is a wonderful resource for anyone looking to gain experience in a thriving industry.' You can learn more about the course and sign up for it by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
West Virginia seeing best ski conditions in ‘over a decade'
CHARLESTON, (WBOY) — According to West Virginia Tourism, 2025 has been the best year for winter activities in the state in quite some time. After a very snowy January, conditions for skiing, snowboarding and tubing remain excellent in West Virginia's mountain counties, even amid warmer temperatures in the lowlands. On top of the feet of snow in January, and the up to 14 inches some areas saw this week, another 10 inches of snowfall is expected over President's Day Weekend, the West Virginia Department of Tourism said in a press release on Wednesday. 'The conditions are incredible right now, setting up for a perfect holiday weekend,' Tom Wagner, President of the West Virginia Ski Areas Association, said in the release. 'I can't remember the last time we've seen such pristine conditions.' 2025 West Virginia Vacation Guide now available for free Looking for the perfect place to take advantage of the snowy winter? West Virginia Tourism recommends checking out downhill or cross-country skiing, snowboarding, tubing, or ATV riding at one of these destinations: Snowshoe Mountain Resort (Pocahontas County) Canaan Valley Resort State Park (Tucker County) Winterplace Ski Resort (Raleigh County) Timberline Mountain (Tucker County) Oglebay's Nutting Winter Sports Complex (Ohio County) Snow Riders Tubing Hill (Jefferson County) Hatfield-McCoy Trail System White Grass Ski Touring Center (Tucker County) Blackwater Falls State Park (Tucker County) Monongahela National Forest Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
