Press Coverage Highlights of Virginia secured and assisted by VTC’s Communications Team
June 2026
General Travel Coverage
- Travel + Leisure: This Virginia Road Trip Is Perfect for Music Lovers
- National Geographic: A culinary guide to the U.S.—based on each state’s favorite dish
- TODAY: Underrated Summer Destinations: Colorado, Virginia, More
May 2026
General Travel Coverage
- Travel + Leisure: How to Visit Virginia’s Outlook Beach
- Food & Wine: The Essential Ice Cream Flavor for Every State
- Retropop: What’s New in Virginia in 2026
Virginia Tourism Grants Coverage
- CBS19: State funding to support local tourism marketing work
- DC News Now: Virginia governor awards grants to localities in NoVa to grow tourism
- Hampton Roads Messenger: Virginia Announces $2.2 Million Tourism Funding for Local Economies
- Patch Alexandria: 2 Alexandria Groups Win $40,000 In State Tourism Grants
- Patch Woodbridge: Woodbridge Cafe Awarded $8,000 Through Virginia State Tourism Grant
- WHSV: Harrisonburg one of several localities to receive tourism funding from state
- Shore Daily News: Shore gets two grants from Virginia Tourism Corporation
- WFXR: Virginia bets on tourism with $2.2 million in marketing grants from Spanberger
- The Patriot: Governor Announces $2.2 Million in Funding to Accelerate Tourism Across the Commonwealth, Grow Local Economies
- Cville Right Now: Tourism grants adding over $120,000 to local initiatives
- 29News: More than $2 million in tourism grants announced for Virginia programs
- WDBJ: $2.2M in matching grant & sponsorship funds awarded to Commonwealth tourism programs
- SWVA Today: Wythe gets tourism money
- SWVA Today: Wytheville nabs tourism grant
- WFXR: Giles County receives $30K for local tourism marketing from VTC
- The Virginia Independent: Gov. Spanberger announces 143 grants to help promote Virginia tourism
- Galax Gazette: Grayson receives VTC tourism marketing grant
- Northern Virginia Daily: State awards $100,000 in grants for six tourism projects
- Chatham Star Tribune: Visit SoSi receives Virginia Tourism Corporation Grant for Tourism Marketing
- Winchester Star: 6 tourism initiatives in region awarded state grants
- Rappahannock Record: VTC awards $2.2 million in tourism grants statewide
- Fredericksburg Free Press: Biz Beat Roundup
- Culpeper Star Exponent: Town of Culpeper awarded $30,000 tourism marketing grant
- Danville Register & Bee: Visit SoSi receives grant for tourism marketing campaign
- Richmond Times-Dispatch: Town of Ashland awarded $15K tourism grant to launch ‘Center Your Fun’ campaign
- Danville Register & Bee: Visit SoSi receives $30,000 tourism marketing grant
- The Progress-Index: How will $30,000 grant be spent in Tri-Cities?
- Brunswick Times-Gazette: Governor announces $2.2 million in funding to accelerate tourism across the Commonwealth, grow local economies
- WHSV: Staunton awarded $15,000 tourism grant to produce digital documentary series
- Newsleader: Staunton receives grant for artisan documentary
April 2026
General Travel Coverage
- Southern Living: 11 Of The Most Beautiful Lakes In Virginia For A Relaxing Getaway
- Time Out: 16 Most Scenic Train Rides in America for a Stunning Journey by Rail
- Food & Wine: The Best Pickle and Fermentation Shops in the US
- Southern Living: 9 Virginia Towns Full Of Antique Shops And Hidden Treasures
- The Dogwood: Fun in the sun awaits you at these 16 summer festivals in VA
- Southbound Magazine: What to do in downtown Staunton, Virginia—one of the South’s finest small towns
- The Flagship: A closer look at sustainable travel in Virginia
- Travel & Tour World: Eco-Friendly Travel in Virginia: How the Commonwealth is Leading the Sustainable Tourism Movement
- CBS19: Eco-Friendly Travel Is Growing Across Virginia as Demand Rises
Statewide Tourism Plan Coverage
- CBS 19: Spanberger unveils new statewide tourism plan
- WRIC: Spanberger unveils Virginia’s new tourism plan to drive economic impact
- Alexandria Living Magazine: Spanberger Announces Release of Tourism Plan for Virginia
- 29 News: Spanberger announces four-year statewide tourism plan
- ABC 13: Gov. Spanberger unveils Virginia Tourism Corporation’s 2026-2029 strategic plan
- Cville Right Now: In Charlottesville, Spanberger unveils new Virginia tourism plan
- WAVY: Spanberger unveils Virginia’s new tourism plan to drive economic impact
- WDBJ: Spanberger announces four-year statewide tourism plan
- WRAR: Governor Spanberger Announces New Statewide Strategic Tourism Plan for 2026-2029
Virginia is for Lager Lovers
- CBS 19: Devils Backbone, VTC team up to mark 20 years of Vienna Lager
- Richmond Times-Dispatch: Virginia Tourism partnered with Devils Backbone Brewing Co.
- Daily Press: Devils Backbone adds ‘Virginia is for Lager Lovers’ logo to Vienna Lager
- The Daily Progress: Devils Backbone shows off Virginia pride with new logo
- Richmond BizSense: The Pitch: Advertising and marketing news for 4.21.26
Virginia Tourism Grants Coverage
- WSLS: Pulaski County mural project invites residents to paint a piece of America’s 250th anniversary
March 2026
General Travel Coverage
- AFAR: Six New Sites Join the U.S. Civil Rights Trail for 2026
- Curated Travel Magazine: Spring Escapes in Virginia: Chesapeake Coast, Allegheny Mountains & Historic Garden Week
- The Independent: Book retreats are gaining popularity as vacationers opt for reading — here’s 9 getaways in the US
- Good Grit: Living Proof
VTC Team Coverage
- Bristol Herald Courier: Former Bristol Virginia mayor accepts new responsibilities
- Van Nuys News Press: Virginia Tourism Corporation Announces Becky Nave as Vice President of Partnership Marketing
- Travel and Tour World: Virginia Tourism Corporation Ignites a New Power Era as Becky Nave Rises to Vice President in a Bold Move Set to Supercharge Virginia Tourism Across the Commonwealth
- Travel Daily News: Virginia Tourism Corporation promotes Becky Nave to VP of Partnership Marketing
- Informa Connect: eTourism Moves: New Hires & Promotions for March
What’s New Coverage
- News 18: Why 2026 Is The Year To Visit Virginia: New Resorts, Cultural Milestones And Culinary Trails
- Travel and Tour World: Unveiling the Commonwealth: Why Virginia is Defined as the Premier Global Destination for 2026
Virginia Piedmont Region Coverage
- Travel and Tour World: Unveiling the Commonwealth: Why Virginia is Defined as the Premier Global Destination for 2026
- WCAV: New tourism region approved
- Fauquier Times: Fauquier part of new ‘Virginia Piedmont’ tourism region
- Culpeper Star-Exponent: Virginia Piedmont is now an official state tourism region
Virginia Tourism Grants Coverage
- CBS 19: CACVB uses grant to enhance accessibility for visitors
- WSLS: Pulaski County officials inviting community to help create VA250 commemorative mural
Virginia Civil Rights Trail Podcast Launch
- Richmond Magazine: Forging Onward
February 2026
General Travel Coverage
Virginia Civil Rights Trail Podcast Launch
- The Farmville Herald: New civil rights podcast features Johns
Virginia Tourism Grants Coverage
- Shore Daily News: ESVA Tourism Commission awarded $10k grant from VTC
- Allegheny Mountain Radio: Highland County Chamber Awarded $20,000 Advertising Grant For Maple Festival
- Travel and Tour World: Eastern Shore’s Tourism Economy Supported by Virginia Tourism Grant, Everything You Need to Know
- The Declaration: Grayson receives grant for Ag & Art, calls for artist
- The Enterprise: SRC Productions Receives Virginia Tourism Corporation Grant for Tourism Marketing
- Richmond Times-Dispatch: Goochland County awarded $10,000 DRIVE Tourism+ grant
- Augusta Free Press: Waynesboro: Riverfest aims to attract more overnight visitors
- 13 News Now: Newport News to kick off One City Marathon weekend with new event on Mariners Row
- WAVY TV: One City Marathon unites Newport News with ‘Power the Hype’ theme
What’s New Coverage
- Alexandria Living Magazine: Virginia’s Dining Scene Expands with 2026 Openings
- Alexandria Living Magazine: New Resort Getaways to Visit This Year in Virginia
January 2026
General Travel Coverage
- The Daily Sentinel (Syndicated in over 100 outlets): Saturday Valentine’s Day Sparks a Surge in Weekend Getaway Plans
Virginia Civil Rights Trail Podcast Launch
- WRIC: Virginia Tourism Corporation creates new Virginia Civil Rights Movement podcast
- Fredericksburg, VA: Virginia Tourism Corporation Launches New Virginia Civil Rights Podcast
- BOOMER Magazine: More What’s Booming RVA: January 29
- Fredericksburg Free Lance Star: Virginia Civil Rights podcast launches
Special Events & Festivals Grant Coverage
- Shore Daily News: ESVA Chamber Fest awarded Virginia Festival Grant
- Rappahannock Times: NN Tourism Commission Receives Grant
- The Progress Index: See which Virginia events, festivals get a piece of $885,733
- Travel & Tour World: Virginia Allocates 885K USD in Tourism Grants for 2026 Festivals in Charlottesville, Albemarle, and Beyond in US to Strengthen Local Economy and Visitor Numbers
- CBS19 News: Several local events, festivals get state tourism funding
- New River Valley News: Matching Grant Funds for Tourism
- Rocktown Now: FredFEST VA one of 88 special events & festivals to receive public-private marketing funds
- The River 95.3: Local tourism receives a financial boost from Virginia
- Winchester Star: State awards nearly $30K to local festivals, events
- The Lebanon News: Lebanon receives grant for tourism marketing
- WFXR: Two Giles County events receive marketing and tourism grants
December 2025
General Travel Coverage
- AFAR: Where to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday in the South
- Food & Wine: How to Celebrate the Holidays at US Wineries
November 2025
General Travel Coverage
- Matador Network: A Local’s Guide to Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Virginia
- Town and Country: A Snob’s Guide to Virginia Horse Country
- HGTV: 30 of the Prettiest Places Decorated for Christmas Across America
Virginia Film Office Coverage
- Richmond Times-Dispatch: “The Ice at the Bottom of the World” to film in Virginia
- WRIC ABC 8News: ‘The Ice at the Bottom of the World’ movie to film in Virginia
- Augusta Free Press: ‘The Ice at the Bottom of the World’ filming along Virginia’s coast
- 4 Filming: “The Ice at the Bottom of the World” Movie Filming in Virginia – Cast, Story & Production Details
October 2025
General Travel Coverage
- National Geographic: 9 perfect small-town getaways near Washington, D.C.
- Forbes: These Women Winemakers Are Shaping The Future Of Virginia Wine
- Southern Living: This Quaint Virginia Town Has Gorgeous Mountain Views And Easy Access To Shenandoah National Park
September 2025
General Travel Coverage
- Food & Wine: America’s Most Beautiful Vineyards for Harvest Season
- The Roam Report: Virginia’s Top Six Spots for Autumn Family Fun | Features
August 2025
General Travel Coverage
- Only in Your State: Middleburg, VA: European Charm with Virginia Soul
2024 Visitor Spending/Economic Impact Announcement Coverage
- WUSA-TV (Washington, DC): Virginia is experiencing a spike in tourism
- FOX 5 DC (Washington, DC): Virginia tourism spending hits record $35.1 billion in 2024, Governor Youngkin announces
- Virginia Business: Virginia tourism hits $35.1B record spending in 2024
- Richmond Times Dispatch: VA: Record number of visitors spent record sums last year
- Richmond Times Dispatch: A1 Minute! August 8, 2025: Record tourist numbers; Renovated Fox Elementary; Weekend Top 5 feat. Jazz Fest
- WRIC-TV (Richmond, VA): Virginia’s tourism spending sees record-setting number of $35 billion in 2024
- WVEC-TV (Norfolk, VA): Virginia tourism reaches record high in 2024 with $35.1 billion spent in the state
- WSLS-TV (Roanoke, VA): Governor Youngkin announces record-setting tourism spending in Virginia in 2024
- WCAV-TV (Charlottesville, VA): Tourism spending hit new record in 2024
- WAVY-TV (Portsmouth, VA): Gov. Youngkin announces $35.1B record tourism spending in 2024
- WAVY-TV (Portsmouth, VA): Gov. Youngkin announces $35.1B record tourism spending in 2024
- WAVY-TV (Portsmouth, VA): Gov. Youngkin announces $35.1B record tourism spending in 2024
- WVEC-TV (Norfolk, VA): Virginia tourism hits major milestone
- Travel and Tour World: Virginia Unites with California, North Carolina, Tennessee, New York in Boosting US Travel with Record Number Tourism Spending Last Year, Why This Matters More Than Ever
- Shore Daily News (Onley-Oancock, VA): Tourism spending hits record high for 2024
- NRVNews: Virginia Tourism Generates $35.1B
- The Patriot: Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Record-Setting Tourism Spending, $35.1B in Virginia in 2024
- Cvillerightnow.com: Virginia tourism saw record spending in 2024
- Rocktownnow.com: Virginia tourism saw record spending in 2024
- The Virginia Mercury: Spanberger leads Earle-Sears in Virginia and more state headlines
- News from the States: Virginia Brief
- ARLnow.com: Morning Notes for August 6, 2025
- Potomac Local: Tourism Spending in Virginia Hits Record $35 Billion; Prince William Sees More Out-of-State Visitors
July 2025
General Travel Coverage