West Virginia’s tourism industry increased by 6.5 percent in 2018, exceeding the national growth rate by 58 percent. The industry’s rise follows a 3.9 percent growth in 2017, which broke the state’s pattern of decline. From 2012 to 2016, travel-generated spending dropped by 14 percent. The industry has grown 9.9 percent in the past two years, which Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby attributed to the administration’s rebranding strategies and promotions. The research was prepared for the West Virginia Tourism Office by Dean Runyan and Associates. — By Rachael Kelley
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