This week, Governor Patrick Morrisey unveiled the state’s official travel magazine, the 2026 West Virginia Vacation Guide. He was joined by Secretary of Tourism Chelsea Ruby, legislators, and state tourism partners.
“The quality and usefulness of this guide is astounding,” said Governor Morrisey. “From rich history and world-class outdoor recreation, to small businesses and amazing locals, it highlights every piece of what makes West Virginia truly special.”
October alone brought more than 270,000 travelers to the Gorge, up from 215,000 the year before, a 25% increase, thanks to Governor Morrisey’s efforts to keep national parks open during the Schumer shutdown. This follows a record-setting year where the state surpassed $9.1 billion in annual tourism economic impact and over 77 million people in visitor volume.
“These numbers represent more than statistics,” said Governor Morrisey. “They represent jobs, small businesses, and real opportunity in every corner of the Mountain State.”
“Just when I think our Vacation Guide can’t possibly get any better, it exceeds my expectations once again,” said Secretary Ruby. “In just over a month, we’ve had nearly 81,000 pre-orders for the 2026 Guide, up more than 460% compared to pre-orders for last year’s guide.”
Request a free copy of this luxury Almost Heaven trip planner at wvtourism.com, and it will be sent directly to your doorstep. The new Vacation Guide will also be available for visitors at each of the state’s welcome centers.
