An op-ed for The Richmond Times-Dispatch called out several state agencies as potential cuts to meet the predicted Virginia budget shortfall. Mine was one of them. Virginia Tourism Corporation laid off several employees last fiscal year and cut spending dramatically. Doing so again would be disasterous. We have leveraged our resources and have continued to make a delicious lemonade from sour lemons.
* The state's tourism website, www.Virginia.org, sees increased unique visitation each month; it's growing by leaps and bounds. And by the way, the site was recently voted The Best Travel Site by popular vote through The Great Travel Site Showdown.
* Bobbie Walker with our Tourism Education and Development division has trained hundreds, if not thousands, of front-line customer service employees across the state this year. From hotel and restaurant staffs to those working B2B. Customer service is high on our radar and that's one key reason we're a great state for tourism. Our hospitality is second to none.
* Tourism equals big money for Virginia. Return on investment is 5:1. Please, think long and hard before cutting one of the biggest money-making agencies. Tourism is good for Virginia.
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