Elkins Depot Welcome Center provides update to Commission
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ELKINS -- The Elkins Depot Welcome Center provided the Randolph County Commission with an update and a look-ahead Friday during its regular meeting at the James F. Cain Courthouse Annex.
Executive Director Anne Beardslee and Marketing Director Samantha Peet gave an informational presentation to Commissioners David Kesling, Chris See and Cris Siler.
Beardslee thanked the commission for its continued support and provided the RCC with an update on the center's recent accomplishments.
"The Elkins Depot Welcome Center opened its doors in 2006 and since that time has formed into a fully accredited, widely recognized Convention and Visitors Bureau," Beardslee said. "Recently at the Hospitality University, we were awarded our three-year accreditation with one of the highest scores of the 31 CVBs that applied. This rigorous comprehensive process took months of preparation and detailed information of all of our activities."
Beardslee told the commission she appreciated its knowledge and support for tourism in Randolph County.
"In 2021, which are the most recent figures we have, $55 million, a 17 percent increase, was brought into Randolph County through tourism," said Beardslee. "And that influx provided 670 jobs and increased local tax contributions by 36 percent. We are seeing these figures continue to grow as we move on from the pandemic and continue our targeted marketing."
Beardless discussed how much local volunteers have meant to everything the Elkins Depot Welcome Center is attempting to accomplish.
"Our volunteers during 1,652 hours dealt with 22,000 guests this year," she said. "They answered over 900 telephone calls dealing with tourism and distributed over 64,000 brochures… Their dedication to hospitality is a major factor to guests returning to our area."
Peet talked to the commission about the state of the tourism economy and how it is expected to continue to grow, especially in areas like Randolph County.
"West Virginia's tourism economy is recovering since the COVID-19 pandemic," Peet said. "While some tourists are continuing to delay travel out of caution, many are seeking rural destinations, small towns, and national and state parks, now more than ever. This is great news for Randolph County where we already position ourselves as an outdoor oasis with charming and cultural small towns."
Peet said many of those who didn't enjoy the outdoors before, are now seeking out such activities.
"Individuals pre-pandemic, who did not consider themselves campers, now consider themselves as such," she said. "This means the COVID-19 pandemic was extremely influential in converting general tourists into travelers with a real interest for the outdoors.
"In 2022 the number of outdoor recreation activities experienced tremendous growth. These activities include biking, camping, hunting, fishing and skiing. This has been positive for Randolph County due to our proximity to the Monongahela National Forest and Allegheny Highlands Rail Trail."
Peet said all of the Welcome Center's social media platforms have increased dramatically during the past few years, seeing a 57 percent increase in visitors since 2021. The center also currently has more than 12,000 email subscribers who receive its monthly newsletter, a 45 percent increase since 2021.
Peet said one of the Center's biggest plans for 2023 is a campaign that will highlight three- to five-night vacations that target history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, art lovers and more.
"Developing itineraries will showcase Randolph County and emphasize that we are more than a weekend getaway, while setting us apart from other travel destinations," she said. "Some itineraries will cater to group activities as we continue planning for the upcoming Event and Convention Center. This space will create new opportunities to promote the area as a site for business meetings."
Peet said her organization also plans to work closely with the Ascend Program to help promote Randolph as the best county in the state to live and play.