Sustainable Tourism

About WVU Extension's Sustainable Tourism Webinar Series

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, sustainable tourism “takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, and environment and host communities.”

West Virginia is one of the most rural states in the country. According to Dean Runyan Associates, West Virginia’s $4.6 billion in travel-generated spending is a vital part of the state and local economies. In some areas of the state, it is one of the primary sources of earnings and employment. UNWTO designated 2020 as the Year of Tourism and Rural Development stating that the sustainability of tourism in rural areas will only be successful if a comprehensive, inclusive planning strategy is adopted and implemented based on a multi-action and multi-stakeholder participatory approach.

Through partnerships and collaboration, West Virginia University Extension has been working to build and enhance West Virginia tourism opportunities. Our Extension experts developed the Sustainable Rural Tourism webinar series to help West Virginians learn about sustainable rural tourism development using interactive and engaging discussions. Drawing from lessons learned and programs implemented during the past 10 years, these sessions are designed to illustrate basic principles and demonstrate how individuals can apply them collaboratively to further enhance the future of tourism in West Virginia.

UNWTO has recognized that in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of tourism in rural development is more relevant than ever. Tourism in rural communities offers important opportunities for recovery from the pandemic as tourists look for less populated destinations and open-air experiences and activities.

This program is designed to help tourism stakeholders in West Virginia harness these opportunities using a sustainable tourism approach focusing on topics such as:

• Breaking down the principles of sustainable tourism and how to apply them
• Building capacity through participatory approaches
• Using data to make informed decisions
• Local and regional planning and action
• Funding tourism action plans
• Evaluating success

Our series covers the basics needed to understand and implement sustainable tourism development. Industry speakers will help to illustrate key concepts and draw on examples from across the state while engaging participants in interactive discussions.

August 26, 2024

In the August 26 webinar we will hear from tourism industry leadership in the New River Gorge region of West Virginia about destination management opportunities and challenges resulting from the influx of visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic and recent National Park designation.

• Video
• Request a copy of the presentation slides in PDF format

September 30, 2024

Our next webinar will continue the discussion about the impact of the pandemic and national park designation on tourism in the New River Gorge region. Our next webinar will bring in some additional perspectives on the opportunities and challenges associated with the increased visitation. Our panel will include representatives from local municipalities, small business owners, and public land managers. Hope you can join us!

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2022 Sustainable Tourism Webinars

181 West Virginians participated in our free 2022 webinar series. Watch the videos again and get inspired to start with rural tourism in your local area.

Access the 2022 videos

2023 Sustainable Tourism Webinars

133 West Virginians participated in our free 2023 webinar series. Watch the videos again and get inspired to start with rural tourism in your local area.

 

Access the 2023 videos

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