Hotel Association Gets Nod From State

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

After an uphill battle that dragged on for nine months, the local hotel association finally got word that its vistor center has been approved by the state.

In early June, the VTC denied the WHMA’s original application, citing a need for support from a local destination marketing committee, convention and visitors bureau or local government. While the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance withheld support, others  responded to the call. According to a WHMA press release Monday evening, the VTC has changed now its mind.

“You have clearly satisfied all certification requirements and the Virginia Tourism Corporation is proud to have you included among this distinguished group of visitor centers,” wrote VTC President and CEO Alisa Bailey in the certification letter.

The WHMA will now be able to get the large blue signs along the highway directing visitors to their center. The signs will be places along Interstate 64 both eastbound and westbound at exit 243 as well as along other roadways, and they will read “Greater Williamsburg Tourist Information Center.”

“We owe a resounding thank you to our state legislators, notably Delegate Robin Abbott, Delegate Brenda Pogge and Senator John Miller, as well as the York County Chamber of Commerce and dozens of area businesses who provided their express support of this initiative and ‘went to bat’ for us,” said Chris Canavos, WHMA president.

Del. Abbott, Del. Pogge and Sen. Miller wrote letters on behalf of the WHMA center after the VTC decided initially not to approve the application.

The Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance never offered its support to the center, citing continued questions about the facility they say haven’t been answered, including whether the new center would confuse tourists coming to the area.

In August, though, York County Chamber of Commerce President Chuck Jarrett told the York County Board of Supervisors that his chamber fully supported the endeavor (the WHMA center is located in York County).

Jarrett told WYDaily at the time that “it comes down to tourism. A major component of our revenue is driving tourists here and getting them to spend money.”

He added, “This will increase awareness and revenue possibilities for the area…and it’s another great way to create more jobs” not just with the people employed by the new center but also through the increase in tourist traffic to various businesses in the Triangle.

Until this week, Colonial Williamsburg was the only local visitor center recognized by the state. Its current information regarding other Triangle businesses and attractions is mostly limited to a small desk with one staff member or volunteer and brochures at the rear of its visitor center building. CW's visitor center does not and will not sell tickets to other attractions (outside its ticket partners) or make hotel or dinner reservations for properties outside CW. Colonial Williamsburg has plans to renovate its visitor center by adding more regional signage, rotating exhibits and more regional information sometime soon, President Colin Campbell told the Historic Triangle Collaborative in October.

The WHMA center can book a variety of reservations and tickets for any participating hotels, restaurants and attractions in the Triangle, including Colonial Williamsburg.

“We look forward to working with the state as a partner in tourism and with regional partners to maximize the potential of the Greater Williamsburg Tourist Information Center,” says Priscilla Caldwell, director of operations. The WHMA expects the signs will increase traffic to their location and Caldwell will be working on ramping up the center to meet the increased demand.