PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA – November 20, 2020 - The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) awarded the Prince William County Office of Tourism (d/b/a Visit Prince William, Virginia) a $10,000 grant from its ‘Recovery Marketing Leverage Program (RMLP)’ this week. The new program was developed by VTC to aid the Covid-19 recovery efforts of communities across the Commonwealth. More than $1.9 million in the matching grant funds were awarded to support 161 recovery initiatives.

“We are elated to learn that we will receive $10,000 toward economic recovery initiatives in 2021. In addition to our many other economic recovery efforts, this grant will help speed up the return to our $692 million pre-Covid tourism economy,” stated Ann Marie Maher, Office of Tourism Director. “The hospitality industry in Prince William County is a vital component of a robust economy,” she added.

The Office of Tourism will use the grant funds to expand its planned 2021 economic recovery campaign promoting the County’s open spaces, restaurants, craft beverage establishments, retail stores, attractions, and events.

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the tourism and hospitality industries in Virginia. As the Commonwealth slowly reopens for business, VTC created these grant funds to spur economic activity and future travel across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“Tourism is a crucial section of the Virginia economy and when we invest in this industry, we support local job creation and drive regional economic growth, which is desperately needed now due to the pandemic,” said Governor Ralph Northam. “These funds give localities and businesses access to critical marketing resources that will help bring more travelers to our Commonwealth, increase visitor spending, and grow demand for Virginia products,” he added.

About Prince William County Office of Tourism

The Prince William County Office of Tourism, a division of Prince William County’s Parks & Recreation, and Tourism 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 visitor spending) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For additional information, please visit our website.

About Virginia Tourism Corporation

Virginia Tourism Corporation is the state agency charged with marketing the Commonwealth as a premier travel and film destination. In 2019, visitors to Virginia spent $27 billion, which supported 237,000 work opportunities and contributed $1.8 billion in state and local taxes. To learn more, visit virginia.org.

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