SENATE RESOLUTION 11

(By Senators Blair [Mr. President], Maynard, Jeffries, Rucker, Woodrum, Trump, Nelson, Plymale, Clements, Hamilton, Woelfel, and Grady)

[Introduced January 20,2023]

Designating January 23, 2023, as West Virginia Tourism Day at the Legislature.

Whereas, Tourism in West Virginia highlights the natural beauty of the state and what it has to offer; and

Whereas, The Mountain State is home to four beautiful seasons that each provide unique opportunities to experience West Virginia; and

Whereas, West Virginia’s natural paradise is home to an array of world-class tourism establishments that promote culture, art, and history; and

Whereas, West Virginia, with its rugged terrain is encompassed entirely by lush Appalachian Mountains, is home to some of the best trails, lakes, mountain overlooks, and rivers, which are visited each year by millions; and

Whereas, The importance of tourism to West Virginians can be seen in small, rural towns and metropolitan areas where tourism-related businesses welcome visitors each year, helping their local economies flourish; and

Whereas, The West Virginia State Legislature has consistently, enthusiastically, and generously championed tourism statewide and the industry is grateful for their continued support; and

Whereas, Tourism industry partners from across the state have gathered in the State Capitol today to recognize the occasion and highlight the growing statewide and regional contributions of travel and tourism; and

Whereas, Students from the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind and from Nicholas County Career and Technical Center have also traveled to the State Capitol today to highlight the educational programs that are preparing them for the expanding hospitality and tourism workforce; and

Whereas, Last year, tourism industry partners located all across the state helped to showcase the best version of Almost Heaven by generating the highest ever recorded economic impact for tourism in West Virginia through hard work and legendary hospitality; and

Whereas, West Virginia’s tourism economy has rebounded from the pandemic and contributes over $4.9 billion annually, up 3.4 percent since 2019, supporting 44,400 jobs for hardworking West Virginians; and

Whereas, West Virginia’s innovative initiative to generate private investment in tourism infrastructure, the Tourism Development Act Tax Credit has attracted nearly $30 million in new investment in 2022 and over $315 million over the course of the program; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate designates January 23, 2023, as West Virginia Tourism Day at the Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Tourism.