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Tourism

Tourism is an important source of economic development for counties and towns across the beautiful and historic Rappahannock-Rapidan region. The region's abundant outdoor resources and natural beauty, rolling farmlands, historic towns and sites, attract increasing numbers of visitors to the area each year.

Situated within easy driving distance of Northern Virginia/Washington, DC, and other points north and south, and located in the scenic foothills adjoining the Shenandoah National Park to the west, the region is an attractive weekend get-away and increasingly, extended-stay vacation destination for nearby and distant travelers alike. With exciting new restaurants, places of lodging, and myriad other points of interest to please just about every type of traveler, the Rappahannock-Rapidan region is definitely worth a visit!

"The Virginia Piedmont" Regional Tourism Website Launched (www.thevirginiapiedmont.org)

On June 18, 2008, the RRRC launched a new regional tourism website, "The Virginia Piedmont…something special in the foothills," that promotes the beautiful and historic Rappahannock-Rapidan region. The website brings together under one banner, the tourism websites of the RRRC's 12-member jurisdictions with an appealing new logo and brand identity. The website provides information and links to:

     • Area accommodations and restaurants to meet all tastes and
     pocketbooks
     • The region's wineries
     • Great places to bicycle, hike, birdwatch, canoe, horseback ride, hunt or
     fish
     • Orchards and farms where one can pick seasonal freuits and farmer's
     markets that offer fresh and organic products, locally produced
     cheeses and other goods
     • Rich history and locations of numerous Civil War battlefields and other
     historic destinations
     • The region's historic Main Streets that provide great places to dine,
     shop, stroll and otherwise experience authentic small-town America.

The "Getaways" button features sample 2-3 day Heritage Tours, Romantic Getaways, Family Tours and special regional packages. The "Calendar" button lists the broad array of events scheduled throughout the region.

The Virginia Piedmont website and marketing initiative is a collaborative effort of the RRRC and its member jurisdictions, drawing upon the expertise of area tourism directors, local government officials and business representatives and made possible, in part, through funding from the Virginia Tourism Corporation. For more information, contact RRRC staff: Harriet Parcells, heparcells@rrregion.org or call: 540-829-7450.

REGIONAL TOURISM COMMITTEE

The PD9 Regional Tourism Committee, comprised of tourism directors, local business owners, and other interested stakeholders, meets on a quarterly basis to update each other with respect to ongoing area tourism efforts, identify needs, and explore mutual interests and options.

Continuing assistance from the Virginia Tourism Corporation--please visit http://www.virginia.org--is gratefully acknowledged.

For more information, please contact:
Harriet Parcells at heparcells@rrregion.org

Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Information and Stats:

PD9 Locality Economic Impact Estimates 2005
Post Your Ad Listings on Virginia.org
Tourism Website Datasharing
VTC Financing Programs
VTC Tourism Development Division
VTC Services Guide 2006