It was exciting to have West Virginia Secretary of Tourism Chelsea Ruby in Lewis County as the guest of the local Chamber of Commerce.
Ruby is the state’s Cabinet-level secretary of Tourism, as Gov. Jim Justice and the Legislature elevated the status of the tourism chief in 2021. She has been an inspirational leader of the tourism industry and, in reality, all of the Mountain State since she came to the Justice Administration when he took office in 2017.
Her leadership, combined with Justice’s belief in the Mountain State’s scenic beauty to drive not only tourism but overall economic development, has been an integral part of the state’s success story.
Last Wednesday she spoke at a “lunch and learn” event at Lambert’s Winery, a fitting location as it is one of the county’s and region’s tourism drawing cards.
Joined by Lewis County Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Chris Richards, Ruby gave insight into tourism in the county and state, highlighting many of the positive aspects that she touts to a worldwide audience.
“All indications are we have a really, really bright future ahead,” Ruby said, saying Lewis County is on track to pass recent tourism numbers.
Richards backed that up, saying more than 400,000 tourists visited Lewis County last year.
“Tourism is up in Lewis County,” Richards said, emphasizing the need for team work between local organizations, CVBs and the state in promoting any and all activities.
Ruby showed a clear pathway to future growth, encouraging Lewis Countians to help promote the New River Gorge National Park in tandem with Lewis County attractions.
The goal would be for tourists to stop off in Lewis County, then venture on down to the national park, spending more days in the Mountain State, Ruby said.
“We continue to shine as a new, up-and-coming destination,” Ruby said in regards to attracting out-of-state visitors.
But she also reminded that during the COVID-19 pandemic, many West Virginians remembered or learned what a blessing they have in their own backyards.
Ruby’s visit reminds us just how important tourism is to West Virginia and to Lewis County.
We should all promote it, appreciate it and experience it while we can.
Truly, West Virginia is a combination of “wild and wonderful” and “Almost Heaven.” We encourage you to experience the backyard blessing today.
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