HARRISONBURG, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – Funding from two new tourism grants will help spread word to prospective visitors that the Friendly City is a hub for outdoor recreation.
Governor Glenn Youngkin announced earlier this week that nearly $265,000 will be invested in tourism programs across the Shenandoah Valley. Harrisonburg Tourism will get a combined $29,00 in funding for marketing efforts, according to a press release from the city.
The first $20,000 will fund a program titled “Harrisonburg, Your Basecamp for Analog Adventure,” while the remaining $9,000 will go toward the “Journey at Your Own Tempo and Enjoy Harrisonburg’s Unhurried Charms,” campaign.
In the release, Harrisonburg Tourism Manager Jennifer Bell said the support received from the Virginia Tourism Corporation has transformed the agency’s marketing efforts.
“We’ve received almost $170,000 in grants from Virginia Tourism in the past five years,” Bell said. “With these funds we were able to highlight Harrisonburg as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of the Shenandoah Valley and bring more tourists to the area and grow our tourism economy.”
According to the release advertisements will emphasize opportunities that offer a relaxing, slower-paced vacation that could to urban visitors who want to disconnect from the faster-paced city culture.
Marketing efforts will primarily be aimed Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia residents, as most of the funding will go toward advertising Harrisonburg’s outdoor recreation opportunities. The online Philly Magazine and the program book for the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball team are among the publications that will show the advertisements.
