Big business a " Tourism still flourishing in Virginia

snipped from the article:

"Tazewell County also reported improved tourism related numbers. Tourism accounted for expenditures of $44 million in Tazewell County in 2008. Another 580 jobs were linked to the tourism industry with an annual payroll of $9,391,045.

“That’s an increase of 5.9 percent over 2007,” Margie Douglass, the county’s economic development and tourism coordinator, said.“And the local expenditure change for the locality is a 6.3 percent increase over 2007.”

Douglass said the local tourism industry is still going strong with interest building in several fall festivals, including today’s Cedar Bluff Heritage Festival, the Burkes Garden Fall Festival slated for Sept. 26, and the Richlands Fall Festival scheduled for Oct. 3. She said the county’s tourism committee has developed a strategic plan for tourism growth, and is continuing to follow the plan with success.

The approaching fall foliage season should also help attract additional visitors to the scenic mountains of Southwest Virginia, as well as southern West Virginia."

Somebody please tell me what in the heck all this "tourism" business is all about? Is it people driving in the get their methodone at the clinic in Richlands? There is NOTHING to do here, you would have to be bored to visit the attractions they list. I know a ton of people go to the Burke's Garden festival - so many that locals don't want to fight the traffic to drive over there. But I ask you, after this one day then what?There is no place to stay overnite in Tazewell except the two crappy Indian-owned motels (no pets, sorry travelers). The Holiday Inn in Pounding Mill is nice. Where do you eat? There is maybe one fine place in Tazewell. I can't imagine driving here and see a dead Main Street and junky lots both in Tazewell and North Tazewell.

Tourism growth? I still think they count the extra tax they charge when you buy a burger in that figure.

Any thoughts?

We have some of the most beautiful scenery in the state; however, most is ruined by trash piled up, littered highways and falling down houses and old business buildings. We have clean-up in the county but littering tickets should be written and people forced to clean up their properties.
There are volunteers cleaning highways and inmates are used; but, the litter just keeps growing !

I've had out-of-towners comment on our beautiful scenery..... travelers appreciate beautiful scenery....I know I do. I am ashamed of some of the areas in Tazewell County.

I know for a fact that during one week in July there were people spending money in Tazewell County from North Carolina, Mississippi, Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia, and other states too numerous to mention. How do I know this? I was there. It was called the Lambert Family Reunion. I see out of state tags in both Tazewell and Russell Counties. I know for a fact the festival at McClure, Virginia draws people and money into Soutwest Virginia. How do I know? I've been there. Barter theatre in Abingdon. The Friday night music in Marion. The Carter Family park and museum in Scott County. My nephew drives from Greensboro NC to Richlands and goes with his friends over to Claytor Lake. People in my family have gone to the Breaks. No tourism? Where have you been? I know people who have driven from Mississippi to see Fort Witten. Circulate some. You'll learn a lot.

When they were alive, my parents drove from Venice, Florida into North Carolina and Virginia to see the fall foliage and colours. They would spend a week. And spend money in those places.