By Danielle Walker
danielle.walker@insidebiz.com
Earlier this month, VisitNorfolk and the Norfolk Tourism Research Foundation recognized workers in the hospitality industry for their hard work and service in the city.
The "Champions of Hospitality Rally" was held during National Travel & Tourism Week, on May 8 at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center in Norfolk.
Here's a list of the winners, their companies, and the categories they were awarded in:
* Gay Jones, Norfolk Scope, Admission.
Staff report
On May 11, the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau presented its annual awards for travel and tourism week at a luncheon at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Below are the honorees listed by name, title, company and the award:
* David Kunkel, conductor, Symphonicity, Attraction.
* Frances Quinn, manager, Black Angus Restaurant, Carlos Wilson Lifetime Achievement Award.
* Robert Richardson, activities attendant and van driver, VSA Resorts, Hotel: Activities/Spa/Fitness Coordinator.
By Danielle Walker
danielle.walker@insidebiz.com
Last week, tourism and travel experts from around the country met at the Virginia Beach Convention Center to discuss industry trends.
Roger Dow, the president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association based in Washington, D.C., was frank about the industry's struggles since the recession hit.
"I think one of the issues is we are seen as a frivolous industry," he said.
By Danielle Walker
danielle.walker@insidebiz.com
The Chrysler Museum of Art is set to begin the second phase of its $45 million capital campaign.
In July, the Norfolk museum will begin construction of a major renovation and expansion that will create an additional 8,000 square feet of gallery space. In late March, the museum's board of trustees voted to move forward with the plans, which are expected to cost $24 million.
By Danielle Walker
danielle.walker@insidebiz.com
Last year, international visitors spent a record $153 billion on travel and tourism-related goods and services in the U.S.
A March report from the U.S. Department of Commerce also found that international and domestic tourism spending were both up from 2010, by 8.1 percent in 2011.
The increase in spending accounted for 103,000 jobs, bringing the total to 7.6 million jobs last year.
By Danielle Walker
danielle.walker@insidebiz.com
Virginia Beach was named the fourth best beach destination in the U.S. by TripAdvisor, a travel website.
On the Travelers' Choice 2012 list, Saint Pete Beach in Florida took the number-one spot among voters, with Miami Beach, Fla., and Myrtle Beach, S.C., ranking second and third, respectively.
On TripAdvisor's list of the Top 25 Best Destinations in the World, Virginia Beach ranked number 13.
By Danielle Walker
danielle.walker@insidebiz.com
This year, Williamsburg is on track to draw more visitors, with the return of the LPGA tournament, a new roller coaster at Busch Gardens and a new family-friendly adventure course under development.
Go Ape, an adventure course company founded in the United Kingdom, is bringing its treetop excursions to Williamsburg this spring.
The course will be the company's second U.S. location. The first opened in Rockville, Md., in May 2010.
By Danielle Walker
danielle.walker@insidebiz.com
In April, the National Forum for Black Public Administrators will bring its annual conference to Hampton Roads for the first time.
The organization, whose mission is to bolster the number of blacks in high-level public administration positions, is holding its national conference at the Virginia Beach Convention Center from April 21 to 24.
Group organizers said the several hundred executives who attend the national conference each year spend about $1 million in host cities.
By Danielle Walker
danielle.walker@insidebiz.com
Beach hotelier Bruce Thompson was recently recognized as the "best industry leader" among his global peers. Perspective Magazine, a timeshare and fractional ownership trade publication, conferred the honor on him.
Thompson, CEO of Gold Key/PHR Hotels and Resorts in Virginia Beach, was recognized by the publication Feb. 2 at the second annual Global Networking Expo, held in Cancun, Mexico.
The occupancy rates for Norfolk's and Virginia Beach's hotels are creeping back up toward pre-recession levels, and in 2011, Virginia Beach hotels saw their highest revenues per available room in five years.
Figures show that Norfolk's occupancy rate rose to 57.3 percent in 2011, up from 55.5 percent in 2009 and 56 percent in 2010. In 2007, occupancy rates were 63 percent, the highest over a 10-year period.
