Virginia's theme parks help drive tourism
Related
story:
- When marble isn't enough
by
Doug Forshey
Virginia Business
April
2004
Virginia's
travel and tourism industry continues to show strength
through the work of the Virginia Tourism Corporation
(VTC) and the successful slogan “Virginia is for
Lovers,” which has been going strong for 32 years.
Last year tourism accounted for $12.9 billion in annual
visitor spending, which provided more than $1 billion
in state and local taxes.
The VTC, with an annual budget of $15 million, promotes
tourism in the Old Dominion. The 64 employees work with
other state and federal agencies, including the Virginia
Commission of the Arts, the Virginia Economic Development
Partnership and the U.S. Forest Service and the National
Park Service. The best measure of the VTC's success
is the return on investment they deliver. Every dollar
they spend promoting tourism in Virginia generates four
dollars in tourism revenue.
Two of Virginia's marquee attractions continue
to be popular tourist destination points, as well as
large generators of tourism dollars.
Paramount's Kings Dominion is a 400-acre theme
and water park that's home to 12 world-class roller
coasters, family shows and casual eating facilities.
Located 20 miles north of the state capital and 75 miles
south of Washington, D.C., the park attracted 2.1 million
visitors in 2003 and generated $2.5 million in tax revenue.
This spring, Kings Dominion will debut a new interactive
thrill ride that kids, parents and grandparents can
all enjoy together, according to Richard Zimmerman,
the park's executive vice president and general
manager. The ride, Scooby-Doo and the Haunter Mansion,
is based on the classic Hanna-Barbera character —
a talking Great Dane who has been solving mysteries
since 1969, assisted by the Mystery, Inc. gang of Fred,
Daphne, Velma and Shaggy. Guests board their own mini
Mystery Machine van and travel through graveyards, dark
corridors and dungeons. Using a Fright Light ghost blaster,
they zap ghosts and collect points. At the end of the
ride, points are totaled to see who had the best ghost-zapping
ability. “Because the ride is interactive, each
ride is a unique experience that guests can enjoy over
and over again,” says Zimmerman.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg has been voted the world's
“Most Beautiful Theme Park” for 12 consecutive
years by the National Amusement Park Historical Association
(NAPHA) and is located three miles east of historic
Williamsburg. The park offers 17th century charm in
an old-world European setting. Located on more than
100 acres and offering 40 thrill rides and attractions,
the park entertained 3 million visitors in 2003.
This year, family fun takes center stage with the all-new
Imaginique debuting June 19. This interactive sensory
experience will transform The Royal Palace Theatre into
a high-flying aerial showplace featuring acrobatic feats
and imaginative vivid colors.
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