Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge received the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association’s (VRLTA) Hospitality Hero (Business/Organization) award during the 2024 Ordinary Awards on Thursday, September 12 in Richmond, VA. An audience of industry peers and leaders from across the state gathered to celebrate winners across categories that recognize excellence in Virginia’s restaurants, lodging establishments, Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), attractions and more.

Each year, nominations are open to both members of the Association and non-members, and nominees are judged by a group of VRLTA member and industry professionals. 

Eric Terry, President of VRLTA said, “VRLTA is proud to include Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge in our exceptional group of winners for the 2024 Ordinary Awards. Destination Marketing Organizations are an essential part of the hospitality and tourism industry and Visit VBR’s recent successes show that.” 

This award comes on the heels of a record-breaking year for tourism in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. 2023 economic impact numbers shared by Virginia Tourism Corporation show that visitors’ direct spending in the region topped $882 million – a new record and 6.6% increase over 2022. Visitor spending also resulted in nearly $43 million in local tax collections in the Cities of Roanoke and Salem and the Counties of Botetourt, Franklin and Roanoke. Overall, tourism in Virginia’s Blue Ridge generated $1.3 billion in economic impact in 2023.

Visit VBR VRLTA Hospitality Hero Award

About Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge (VBR)
Visit VBR is the official destination marketing organization for Virginia’s Blue Ridge which includes the Cities of Roanoke and Salem and the Counties of Botetourt, Franklin, and Roanoke. The region is easily accessible via the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA), Interstate 81, and Amtrak’s northeast regional route. Virginia’s Blue Ridge (VBR) is nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and along the Blue Ridge Parkway, providing a metro mountain mix of exciting outdoor adventure with refined culture.  For more information, go to www.VisitVBR.com.