West Virginia Executive Winter 2025 | Page 57

Outdoor Adventures
written by kenzie dye

POWER

PLAYS

Sports Tourism ’ s Economic Impact

Photo by Charleston CVB .
Photo by Wheeling Nailers Hockey .
Photo by Visit Mountaineer Country CVB .

West Virginia ’ s sports tourism industry has seen recent success , driven by strong partnerships , state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to community engagement . Across the state , events and teams are boosting local economies , attracting visitors and showcasing the Mountain State as a premier destination for sports .

National Sports
Hosting the 2024 USA Diving Junior Nationals brought in approximately 1,500 visitors over the course of 10 days and 650 athletes from all over the U . S . as well as some international athletes .
Tami Wood , group sales manager for Visit Mountaineer
Country CVB , says the recent success of sports tourism in the area can be attributed to a few factors .
“ There has been a growing interest in niche sports experiences and a rise in digital booking platforms ,” she says . “ Destinations have seen these large events generate a substantial economic impact .”
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