West Virginia tourism industry projects totaling more than $2.6 million have been approved by the West Virginia Tourism Commission to receive $1.19 million in matching funds through the Matching Advertising Partnership Program (MAPP). MAPP allows state tourism businesses to match advertising dollars through partnerships with other tourism businesses and the state. Matches are based on the combined budgets of the applicants and partners, as well as the amount of available funding. The matching funds support efforts to promote wild, wonderful destinations throughout West Virginia, increasing the number of visitors and travel expenditures to the Mountain State. Local approved requests representing tourism projects from across the state include: • Associated Universities dba National Radio Astronomy Observatory - Applicant funding requirement: $19,307.05; state match: $12,871.37 The National Radio Astronomy Observatory’s Explore the Hidden Universe campaign will attract visitors, including families and retirees, seeking an educational component to their travel experience. The project is designed to increase May-October visitation to the science center as well as area attractions and to increase the length of stay by suggesting additional “see and do” attractions in Pocahontas County. • Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad (DGVR) - Applicant funding requirement: $74,749.45; state match: $49,832.96 The goals of this program are to begin branding the Cass Scenic Railroad as an additional option in the DGVR “Mountain Rail Adventures” roster, create packaged traveler information and vacation options for the region, and to increase visitor numbers to all trains and special events. • Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau - Applicant funding requirement: $75,000.00; state match: $50,000 Experience the Greenbrier Valley is designed to drive hotel/motel occupancy within the county, to raise the perception and demand of in-county tourism partners resulting in their growth, and to build on the Greenbrier Valley brand and reputation as a vacation destination. • The Greenbrier Resort - Applicant funding requirement: $75,000; state match: $50,000 This project utilizes broadcast media to reestablish the Greenbrier’s historic position as “the place to be” for highly visible events, establish a sense of continuity between past and future guest experiences to encourage repeat visits, and promote the resort and surrounding tourism entities to an international audience and increase overall revenue.
