Virginia looks to Asia to boost inbound tourism

Shenandoah National Park

The visit by Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe and president and CEO Virginia Tourism Corporation, Rita D. McClenny, saw meetings in China and Hong Kong, as well as Japan and South Korea.

The U.S. state of Virginia has wrapped up its multi-city Asian tour that involved trade and tourism meetings. 

The visit by Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe and president and CEO Virginia Tourism Corporation, Rita D. McClenny, saw meetings in China and Hong Kong, as well as Japan and South Korea. 

"The trip further demonstrated Virginia’s commitment and desire to welcome and engage the Asian tourism market," said a spokeswoman.

McAuliffe marked the trip as “a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Commonwealth of Virginia’s longstanding and productive relationship built on the pillars of economics and trade".

“Tourism is an instant revenue generator,” the governor said. “In Virginia, tourism generates US$21 billion in visitor spending annually, supports 210,000 jobs and generates US$1.3 billion in state and local taxes.  Growing our tourism industry is a major mandate for Virginia.”