Why more tourists will likely visit Richmond this summer

RICHMOND, Va. — Even with raising inflation and high gas prices, travel industry experts in the Richmond area anticipate a hectic summertime vacation period and the region’s tourism group is hoping to bring in out of city readers with a new advert marketing campaign.

AAA Mid-Atlantic mentioned a the latest study it executed observed 61% of Virginia people are preparing to just take a vacation of 50 miles or far more this summer time, while 40% are scheduling additional than a single vacation.

“I imagine a good deal of that hints at the pent up demand in excess of the past two several years, with all of the COVID interruptions, they want to get back to those people vacations,” stated spokesperson Morgan Dean. “We also asked them what form of a issue fuel selling prices have been in all of that. Flat out, straight up about 40% said gas charges were not even a variable in their preparing.”

WTVR

Even so, he extra for these who claimed they are not traveling this summertime, nearly 50% stated gas selling prices were a variable. As of Thursday, the ordinary rate for a gallon of common fuel in Virginia was tied for the all-time higher at $4.25

Dean added that 15% of respondents that ended up preparing to journey explained they were change their vacation budgets to account for better gas costs and their brokers were acquiring concerns about what would be the most affordable way to vacation.

WTVR

“Our journey advisors are pleased to assess what it appears to be like, how much it would price you to get to southern Florida if you drive. How substantially it’s going to expense you to fly there,” mentioned Dean. “Of course, there are other things that occur into there. What are you likely to do when you get to Florida? Are you going to have to get a rental auto? Simply because you have to aspect all of that in there. And that…could be a bust on traveling down there if you do will need to have a car. But, if you might be likely to a vacation resort that is got a shuttle to get you back and forth from the airport, it can be all inclusive, you’re not preparing a great deal of excursions…you may possibly be in good shape and equipped to fly about driving.”

Dean explained a different aspect their survey uncovered that some people today ended up contemplating shorter outings due to the fact of fuel costs — a thing noted in a survey carried out by Longwoods Global and the purpose behind a new advertisement campaign from Richmond Region Tourism (RRT).

The marketing campaign titled “Get Here on a Tank of Gas or Less.”

WTVR

“A lot more than 50 percent the [U.S.] inhabitants is inside of a day’s push,” mentioned RRT CEO Jack Berry. “Our greatest feeder market is Washington, D.C. Our fifth most significant feeder market place is New York Metropolis. Raleigh is 3rd. So, what happens is that we’re a perfect location for a tank of fuel. Arrive and go to.”

Berry mentioned the advertisements will engage in up and down the I-95 corridor.

“Our numbers are good, the geography is ideal. People…do not want to do a staycation they want to get out of the home. And we’re the best place for that,” extra Berry.

Richmond Location Tourism

Berry claimed that tourism in the location experienced presently began to get well from the pandemic in 2021. He stated document occupancy prices ended up set from July to January 2022, with most of that coming from leisure journey as organization journey was however lower.

What we see now is organization travel starting up to return,” stated Berry. “Companies couldn’t vacation simply because they were not working in the places of work. Now, they’re coming back to their places of work in every single vacation spot. Then the corporation’s say ‘Well, now you can begin to vacation.’ So, coming this summertime, I assume it really is heading to be a type of a mix of ‘let’s not go also far’ as nicely as the small business journey returning. So, I dare say — I never want to be as well superstitious — but July, August, September really should be increase months for us.”

Rely on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for in-depth coverage of this essential tale. Any one with extra data can email [email protected] to deliver a tip.

Richmond Region Tourism