Voices of Change – Stories of Tourism Development in West Virginia
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
The rural communities of West Virginia have experienced a transition in their economic base from traditional manufacturing and extractive industries to a service based economy increasingly dependent on tourism. Between 2000 and 2010 direct visitor spending in West Virginia increased by 6 percent and travel and tourism employment increased 2.4 percent. While economic growth is desirable, rapid and unplanned tourism growth can generate unintended consequences including congestion, unrealized economic benefit to the community at large, and a loss of regional character. Using the National Rural Tourism Development Project as a framework, residents and leaders from four West Virginia communities were interviewed to better understand how they managed the benefits and challenges of tourism growth and successfully positioned themselves as tourism destinations. Discussions with local leaders explore indicators of community-based tourism including: maintaining authenticity and sense of place, creating quality experiences for visitors and residents, balancing the costs and benefits of tourism growth, diversifying their local economies, and sharing benefits throughout the community. The presentation will compare and contrast leadership styles, community dynamics, and approaches and reactions to change. These communities’ stories will be used to educate and help West Virginia’s rural communities guide tourism growth in ways that both maximize their economic potential and preserve regional character.
Voices of Change – Stories of Tourism Development in West Virginia
The rural communities of West Virginia have experienced a transition in their economic base from traditional manufacturing and extractive industries to a service based economy increasingly dependent on tourism. Between 2000 and 2010 direct visitor spending in West Virginia increased by 6 percent and travel and tourism employment increased 2.4 percent. While economic growth is desirable, rapid and unplanned tourism growth can generate unintended consequences including congestion, unrealized economic benefit to the community at large, and a loss of regional character. Using the National Rural Tourism Development Project as a framework, residents and leaders from four West Virginia communities were interviewed to better understand how they managed the benefits and challenges of tourism growth and successfully positioned themselves as tourism destinations. Discussions with local leaders explore indicators of community-based tourism including: maintaining authenticity and sense of place, creating quality experiences for visitors and residents, balancing the costs and benefits of tourism growth, diversifying their local economies, and sharing benefits throughout the community. The presentation will compare and contrast leadership styles, community dynamics, and approaches and reactions to change. These communities’ stories will be used to educate and help West Virginia’s rural communities guide tourism growth in ways that both maximize their economic potential and preserve regional character.
