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The hillbilly stereotype is frequently used to shame mountain people, but there are gentler versions, like Snuffy Smith, the long-running comic strip character. Snuffy Smith originally started out as a supporting character in his comic strip, which first launched in 1919 when Billy DeBeck created Barney Google. Artist Fred Lasswell was brought in during the ‘30s to create Snuffy Smith and his friends. And now the strip is written and drawn by John Rose, who lives in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.
Tourism brings an increasing number of visitors and money into the state, dispelling some misconceptions about West Virginia, and offering new opportunities in regions of the state that have fallen behind.
The West Virginia Public Broadcasting news team examines this evolving industry. From infrastructure needs to programs meant to attract more people, we look at its growth and challenges.
West Virginia HEAT, which stands for Hospitality Education and Training, is a program within the West Virginia Department of Education that is dedicated to training the next generation of hospitality workers in West Virginia. These workers are often the first faces visitors see when they come to our state. Liz McCormick spoke with Tami Maynard, who works in the West Virginia HEAT program, to learn more.
For generations, visitors have come to West Virginia for the scenery and a taste of adventure, but over the past few years, they’re coming to sample whiskey.
Airports are the cornerstone for the economic development and vitality of any region. As a key part of West Virginia’s transportation system, a viable airport network is the catalyst for state access to the national and worldwide marketplace.
The hope for the Great Eastern Trail is to relieve some of the foot traffic on the iconic Appalachian Trail which hosts about three million visitors each year.
Companies like Airbnb and Vrbo are part of the same gig economy as ride-sharing apps like Uber, or food delivery services like Doordash – they act as online marketplaces that connect property owners with tenants for a short period. They’ve become increasingly popular as an alternative to hotels, allowing tourists to stay in unique lodgings in the communities they’re visiting.
The pandemic changed the ways people work. Over the past year, Ascend West Virginia has taken advantage of that change to attract remote workers – and their friends and family – to the state.
