Rebounding from COVID-19 Pandemic

Over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted visitor spending and travel expenditures. Visitor spending declined by 39.7% in 2020 throughout Virginia, a direct result of the pandemic. However, in 2021, visitor spending

The outdoor recreation industry has grown vastly across the United States, with an estimated $689 billion of annual consumer spending across the nation and 4.3 million jobs.2 Southwest Virginia’s numbers alone are impressive, with 14 outdoor companies calling the region home. Furthermore, visitors to Southwest

outdoor recreation each year.3

Overall, the data suggest that the creative economy-related outcomes are on a positive trend in Southwest Virginia, though the overall economy still faces challenges.

Footnote 2 2022 Outdoor Participation Trends Report 3 Direct Impact and Spending Shares by Industry 2021 by Tourism Economics

Fly fisherman, Dickinson county Virginia