Tourism touted at agency’s annual dinner
CHAMPION — The executive director of the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau says tourism is one of the leading industries in the area today.
“Tourism is an extremely important industry in Pennsylvania and the Laurel Highlands,” Ronald Virag recently said at the organization’s annual dinner at Seven Springs Resort.
The dinner highlighted the year’s successes and outlook for continued growth in the region’s tourism industry, and also recognized the Champions of Tourism Awards, honoring those who have made significant contributions to making the area an attractive destination for visitors.
The LHVB, which formed in 1958, exists to promote tourism and tourism development in the Laurel Highlands region, including Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties, thereby contributing to economic growth and quality of life in the area, according to the organization’s mission statement.
The bureau provides educational and networking opportunities for tourism professionals to help hone marketing strategies, and also provides grant funding throughout the area to historical societies, arts centers, trail alliances, museums and others.
In his opening remarks, Virag touted statistics illustrating the economic boon the tourism industry drives.
“Travelers spent $16 billion in the Laurel Highlands, providing for almost 14,000 jobs that provide earnings of $323 million,” Virag said, citing the latest annual visitor impact studies.
Tourism is important not only because of direct spending by visitors, Virag added, but also because of the hotel taxes that are generated when tourists spend the night.
“To date, tourism grants in the three counties comprising the Laurel Highlands have totaled $6.8 million,” Virag said, “and the significant aspect of the grants is that they are made using hotel tax dollars.”
He pointed out that, in his estimation, “98 percent of the tax comes from individuals who are not residents of the Laurel Highlands.”
Virag also described the increase in the bureau’s website traffic over the last year, and, drawing on his experience as a businessman, indicated that the growth of the use of the website is “proof that the marketing tools and initiatives that we are employing to foster interest and tourism in the Laurel Highlands are working and working well.”
Virag extended gratitude and appreciation for the staff at the LHVB, whom he credited with those successes.
Richard J. Allan, secretary of the state Department of Conservation of Natural Resources (DCNR), delivered a keynote address in which he applauded the positive working relationship the DCNR maintains with the LHVB.
“We have assets that are gems out there,” Allan said, explaining that in the 18 months he has been in his position, he has been touring the state, trying to see all the DCNR’s parks and trails.
“The Laurel Highlands has it all — rivers, mountains, trails, forests,” he said. “It’s a perfect match, us working together.”
“Everything we do at DCNR improves the quality of life of our communities,” he added.
Allan said he looked forward to continuing to work with the LHVB on their mutual goals of promoting outdoor recreation for area residents and visitors alike. One local project he mentioned that is nearing completion is a new visitors center at Ohiopyle State Park, which he said should be finished next year.
“I see us with a very, very bright future,” Allan said.
The annual dinner also featured the unveiling of the 12 winners of the LHVB’s annual photo contest, which will be on display at Seven Springs.