Adventure Economy
How Transportation Tourism is Thriving in West Virginia
According to the West Virginia Division of Tourism’ s annual report, the Mountain State generated $ 14 in taxes for every $ 1 spent on advertising in Fiscal Year 2016. As the state continually searches for ways to increase revenue and diversify its struggling economy, organizations such as Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad( DGVR), the Hatfield McCoy Trail System and Racer Productions are providing massive opportunities for statewide economic development and diversification.
These companies, which represent the commercial railroad, all-terrain vehicle( ATV) and motocross industries, draw thousands of visitors from outside of the state to West Virginia every year and have a significant economic impact on the surrounding Mountain State communities, bringing in revenue for local shops, accommodations and restaurants. Investing in these areas provides a significant opportunity not only for diversifying West Virginia’ s economy but for diversifying the tourism industry itself.
Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad
BY CHASE GUNNOE. Traveling eastbound on Route 33 near Buckhannon, WV, an SUV with a Pennsylvania registration is headed to Elkins with a family of four.
Across several mountain ridges in Harrisonburg, VA, there’ s a middle-age couple about to begin the scenic drive across Route 33 into Pendleton County and south from Seneca Rocks into Pocahontas County. These families, one from suburban Pittsburgh and the other from a Washington, D. C., bedroom community, have one thing in common: they are headed to the mountains of West Virginia to climb onboard a Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad train.
The Cass Scenic Railroad train to Bald Knob meets the Cheat Mountain Salamander at Spruce, WV. Photo by Chase Gunnoe.
Since the DGVR’ s inception in 1997, hundreds of thousands of tourists have traveled to the highlands of West Virginia to ride the DGVR’ s scenic Mountain Rail Adventures. Consistent growth over a span of two decades has led to expanded tourist train offerings and partnerships that have helped create an internationally recognized rail tourism destination.
The DGVR is a freight and tourist railroad serving the eastern mountain counties of West Virginia. Headquartered
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE