ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - “You know, we say that we don’t have a product that we sell. Our product is our people and the places that make Virginia’s Blue Ridge such a special region.“

Tourists... cities love them and businesses need them.

According to Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, in 2024, visitors spent $923 million throughout the Blue Ridge region. a 4.6% increase from 2023.

“That $923 million of direct visitor spending generated over $44 million in tax revenue, local tax revenue, for our governments,” Director of Public Relations Kathryn Lucas said.

Those millions of dollars supported 7,418 jobs, and even saved households an average $347 per month in taxes.

But why are these tourists coming to the Blue Ridge?

You may not know, but the region is a hotspot for some of the country’s big

See Full Page