Tourism As an Economic driver
Tourism is an important industry and a strong economic driver within the Commonwealth. It promotes the quality of life for a community by enhancing its public image as a dynamic place to live and work, and is important to the economic health of a community.
The term ‘tourism’ is a commonly used one – usually in reference to someone visiting a place other than their hometown, and partaking in what that new area has to offer, from food to lodging to entertainment. In LYH, we, however, view tourism more holistically. In recent years – and especially since the pandemic – the concept of being a ‘hometown tourist’ has started to gain popularity. We believe that tourism encompasses all of these definitions – and it also includes making a place that is attractive for someone to both visit and live, set up shop, conduct their business and contribute to the local economy. Simply put, tourism is economic development.
“Tourism is often referred to as the “first date” for economic development, but our team believes tourism is part of the continuum of community economic development, driving investment and benefit for visitors, residents and businesses,” said Marjette Upshur, Director of Economic Development & Tourism. “We believe that when you build a City where people want to live, you have built a City where talent is drawn to work. If you build a City where people want to work, you will have built a City where business needs to be. And if you build a City where business needs to be, you will build a City where people have to visit.”
By the Numbers
When we’re looking at revenue, it’s helpful to understand where tourism dollars go. Tourism primarily supports the business sectors of food & beverage, lodging, transportation, retail, and recreation. In the City of Lynchburg, tourism jobs comprised 3,245 of our local employment in 2020 and 3,825 jobs in 2019.
Even though the above sectors are the primary tourism industries, all businesses and residents benefit from tourism as travel and local exploration drives direct wages, income, and expenses through the economy. LYH tourism industries drove $18.9 million in state & local revenues in 2020, and saved each LYH household about $668 in annual state & local tax collections in 2020.
Source: The Economic Impact of Domestic Travel on Virginia Counties 2020 – prepared for the Virginia Tourism Corporation by the US Travel Association, September 2021; LYH Annual Reports
Sales and Travel
Courtyard by Marriot is a Focused Service hotel for meetings & conferences
The traditional view of tourism includes a lot of travel – things like meetings and conferences, sporting events, and group tours or travel. These are still a huge part of our holistic approach to tourism, and generate large economic impacts for our City.
- As a result of efforts for FY 2019, Tourism Sales produced 121 sales leads and assists producing approximately 29,000 requested room nights with an estimated economic impact of more than $14.6 million.
- As a result of efforts for FY 2020, Tourism Sales produced 101 sales leads and assists producing approximately 40,733 requested room nights with an estimated economic impact of more than $19.4 million – we actually increased these revenues in the midst of a pandemic!
Special Events
The Amazing Mile is hosted by Amazement Square the evening before the Virginia 10 Miler
Special events encompasses a wide array of activity, including races, festivals and other community engagement events such as Day in the Park. While many special events were put on hold or canceled altogether over the last 2 years, the climate of special events permitted through the City of Lynchburg has seen steady growth across all sectors throughout the current fiscal year. With 11 races, 3 food and beverage events, and over 20 community engagement events, the City of Lynchburg is on track to permit more than 42 special events this year with a total economic impact over $2 million dollars. For example, events like the Virginia Ten Miler have made Lynchburg their home and create over $800,000 in business sales here in the city. With nearly 50 years of community, national, and global support, the Virginia Ten Miler plays a major role in tourism and fostering community in LYH – one of America’s most runner-friendly communities.
Special events not only serve as economic drivers for the City of Lynchburg, but also drive placemaking, enhancing the City’s diverse identity through community outreach and inclusion at events like Hill City Pride, Soul Food and Funk Festival, and Get Downtown. These events attract both residents and visitors, positioning the City as a destination and also potentially drawing new talent to the area.
questions?
The Office of Economic Development & Tourism is committed to making LYH a place where businesses, residents and visitors can thrive. Our sales and marketing team, along with our special events coordination, work in tandem with our local business community to continue to share the message that LYH Loves You, LYH Supports You, and LYH is Home to You.
Want to learn more? Contact one of our staff below.
Andrew Marks, Sales Manager
Emelyn Gwynn Light, Communications Manager
Clayton Copper, Special Events Coordinator