Fredericksburg Area Tourism Boards Receive Recovery Grants

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The city of Fredericksburg received a $4,800 grant from a statewide program to boost Virginia tourism as the state struggles with the coronavirus crisis. The counties of Spotsylvania, Stafford and King George also received grants through the Virginia Tourism Corporation's new WanderLove Recovery Grant Program.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam last week announced that more than $866,000 will be awarded to 90 destination marketing organizations through the new program. Destination marketing organizations are tourism boards that promote a location as an attractive travel destination.

“Travel will look different for as long as this virus is with us, and many Virginians are seeking getaways that are closer to home," Northam said in a statement. "The WanderLove Recovery Grants will help our localities prepare for a rebound in tourism, market their destinations as safe and accessible, and drive new economic activity as we gradually welcome visitors back to our Commonwealth.”

The Virginia marketing funds were awarded to areas of the state that have been heavily impacted by the coronavirus crisis. The Spotsylvania County Department of Tourism and Stafford County each received a $10,000 grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation. The King George County Tourism Advisory Committee received $8,243.

The Virginia Tourism Corporations WanderLove campaign, launched on June 15, provides assistance to tourism boards for road trips, outdoor recreation, small towns and the state's LOVEworks program. The campaign was created in response to industry research indicating that travelers will be seeking safe, close-to-home destinations that allow for social distancing and have access to open spaces like beaches and rural areas.

The tourism boards that received grants also will be given a toolkit to implement WanderLove in their own marketing.