ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 2, 1996 TAG: 9610020047
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON STAFF WRITER
MEMO: ***CORRECTION***
Published correction ran on October 3, 1996.
The state estimated that retail sales in 1995 totaled $2.37 billion
in Roanoke, Salem and Roanoke and Botetourt counties. The figure was
incorrect in a Wednesday Business page story.
Virginia's tourism director forecast a colorful fall, including a lot of green. Tourists will spend $10 billion this year, Pat McMahon said Tuesday.
"When you have a wet year, you have the best color foliage you ever see," he told a workshop on travel trends sponsored by the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau at the Roanoke Airport Marriott hotel.
He said his forecast assumes nothing unexpected occurs in November and December, such as a bout of exceptionally harsh weather.
In the Roanoke Valley, tourists spent an estimated $251.4 million in 1994. The 1995 estimate is scheduled to be released this month. McMahon predicted a small increase, based on a 4.3 percent increase in overall retail sales and excise tax collections.
The total of those tax collections for the area including Roanoke, Salem and Roanoke and Botetourt counties was $2.37 billion.
Storms that slowed business for North Carolina's attractions drove travelers into Virginia, McMahon said.
Heavy snow in the East last winter meant children remained in school well into June, which depressed Virginia tourism that month. It rebounded in July, McMahon said.
He also said television viewers soon will be able to see the state's latest tourism commercials. A segment shot in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the Wintergreen resort will air on Saturday and Sunday mornings. A golf segment shot at Wintergreen will run on sports channels.
LENGTH: Short : 40 linesby CNB