Prince William ranks 9th in Virginia as a travel destination

Prince William County Office of Tourism on Sept. 12 presented to Prince William County tourism & hospitality industry professionals that the county’s visitor economy continued to surge in 2017.

According to research recently released by the U.S. Travel Association and the Virginia Tourism Corporation, Prince William County is experiencing sustainable expansion in tourism revenue year after year and the county ranks ninth in total visitor expenditures in Virginia when compared to 133 independent cities and counties in the Commonwealth.

In 2017, tourism in Prince William County generated: $592 million in travel related expenditures in 2017, an increase of 3.7% vs. 2016. Tourism supported 6,590 jobs. Visitor related tax receipts in the County provided over $35 million in both local and state receipts that support services and increased business and tourism investment.

“Prince William County welcomes millions of visitors annually to popular attractions such as the Manassas National Battlefield Park, the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Potomac Mills, Jiffy Lube Live, Leesylvania State Park, and many others that benefit the $592 million robust visitor economy,” Ann Marie Maher, County Tourism Director, was quoted as saying in a news release.

“With the recent announcement of the USTA Mid-Atlantic headquarters, the opening of Farm Brew Live at Innovation Park, and continued private investment in multiple new hotels, wedding, event, and craft beverage venues, among other attractions, the destination continues to evolve and encourage reasons to visit and stay in Prince William County,” she added.

Newly opened and other tourism related businesses coming soon to Prince William County:

Cabela’s – This 79,000 square-foot outdoor outfitter is exclusive to the DC Metropolitan Area and opened in March 2017.

USTA – Mid-Atlantic Headquarters – The United States Tennis Association will build its new mid-Atlantic headquarters and state-of-the-art $15-million tennis facility in Prince William County in 2021.

2 Silos Brewery / Farm Brew Live at Innovation Park – This 8-acre craft beer and cocktail, live music, and culinary destination opened in late 2017.

Sweeney Barn – A new two-story wedding and event venue that will be housed in a repurposed historic barn on the beautiful Innovation Park Campus will open in early 2019.

La Quinta Hotel – Manassas – A new 76 room hotel will be opening in the Yorkshire neighborhood of Prince William County near Route 28/I-66 corridor of Prince William County.

Candlewood Suites Dumfries – A new 83 room all suites hotel will open in 2018 to welcome guests near the I-95 corridor of Prince William County.

Home2 Suites Potomac Mills – A new 126 room all suites hotel will open in early 2019 to welcome guests near the I-95 corridor of Prince William County. This hotel will also include space for small meetings.

TownPlace Potomac Mills – A new 91 room all suites hotel will open in early 2019 to welcome guests near the I-95 corridor of Prince William County. This hotel will also include space for small meetings.

New Breweries & Wineries – In 2017, Eavesdrop Brewery in Yorkshire, Effingham Manor Winery in Nokesville opened, and Cedar Run Brewery to open in Nokesville in 2019.

New Restaurants & Entertainment Concepts – Rockwood Sports Bar and Club Eclipse in Gainesville, the addition of a dueling piano concept within Madigan’s Waterfront in Occoquan, the opening of the Alamo Drafthouse in Woodbridge, and other new concepts continue to choose Prince William County.

Tourism creates jobs, tax revenue, and spurs development across the Commonwealth. According to the US Travel Association, tourism in Virginia generated $25 billion in travel spending. Tourism also supported 232,000 jobs in the Commonwealth and $1.73 billion in state and local taxes.

“Virginia’s tourism industry is an important diversifier for our economy as it continues to grow and flourish in multiple regions of our Commonwealth,” Governor Ralph Northam was quoted as saying.

The increase is largely attributed to Virginia’s tourism development all around the state, including: new hotels, restaurants, agri-tourism, craft breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries, sports, outdoor recreation, festivals and events, music venues, wedding venues, meeting and convention venues, attractions and so much more. Virginia’s changing tourism product makes the Commonwealth a destination for authentic travel experiences and thriving communities.

About Prince William County Office of Tourism

The Prince William County Office of Tourism, a division of Prince William County’s Parks & Recreation Department, is responsible for executing tourism marketing and promotion initiatives supporting Prince William County’s strategic outcomes.

Prince William County, Virginia is one of the top ten travel destinations (based on total travel expenditures) in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

For more news information on Visit Prince William Virginia please visit our website http://www.VisitPWC.com