VISITOR SPENDING IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA REACHED $1.3 BILLION IN 2023, UP 8.3% FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. TOURISM IN THE REGION SUPPORTED OVER 12,000 JOBS AND GENERATED $62.9 MILLION IN LOCAL TAXES. STATEWIDE, VIRGINIA SAW A RECORD $33.3 BILLION IN VISITOR SPENDING. KIM DAVIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FRIENDS OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, SAYS THIS GROWTH HIGHLIGHTS TOURISM’S CRUCIAL ROLE IN BOOSTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND SUPPORTING JOBS. THE REGION REMAINS A TOP CHOICE FOR VISITORS, THANKS TO ITS UNIQUE EXPERIENCES AND CULTURAL TREASURES.