New Tourism Website Launched

WAYNESBORO – The City of Waynesboro Office of Economic Development and Tourism announces the launch of a brand new tourism website.

www.visitwaynesboro.net has undergone a complete overhaul thanks to a $50,000 Virginia Tourism Corporation Marketing Leverage Program grant awarded in August 2018 for Divinely Placed: Marketing the Waynesboro Experience. The project outlined a multi-platform tourism initiative, leveraging Waynesboro’s placement at the crossroads of the Shenandoah National Park/Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian Trail. The project includes a new visitors’ guide which was released last year, a digital marketing campaign, and the new website.

The website is the final component of the marketing initiative, incorporating a heavier use of visuals to market Waynesboro, including more photo galleries and a user-generated photo-feed to reach an expanded audience. Additionally, a platform referring visitors to lodging partners to directly book their stay has been included on the home page to increase conversion of potential visitors into reserved extended stays.

“Tourism is a significant contributor to the Waynesboro economy,” states Greg Hitchin, Director of Economic Development and Tourism. “The development of this renovated website is a critical component of our marketing strategy and will aid in our continued growth.  This site highlights new photography, videography, features to enhance the visitor experience, and social media integration.”

According to the Virginia Tourism Corporation, statewide tourism is the Commonwealth’s fifth largest employer with over $26 billion in visitor spending, resulting in $1.8 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2017. In the Staunton, Augusta, Waynesboro MSA, tourism accounted for $219,037,044 in visitor spending in 2017—a 2.9% increase over 2016 (the most recent statistics available)—thereby generating over $7 million in tax revenue and employing over 2,000 individuals.

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