West Virginia's tourism economy is one of its most valuable assets, and thanks to a collaboration between partners in state government and higher education, a new generation is getting ready to propel it into the future.

In June 2024, 52 high school freshmen and sophomores took part in the Governor’s School for Tourism, visiting prominent attractions across the state for an inside look at West Virginia’s hospitality and tourism industry. Along the way, they developed an early appreciation for West Virginia’s unique recreational possibilities.

Hosted by West Virginia University and supported by the West Virginia Department of Education's Division of Instruction and Career Engagement, the Governor's School for Tourism provided students the opportunity to experience their home state as a visitor for 10 days.

“West Virginia’s tourism industry is growing at a record-breaking pace, and it’s vital that we start making sure students are aware of the amazing opportunities available to them right here at home. The Governor’s School for Tourism is the perfect opportunity to do just that,” West Virginia Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby said. 

“We’ve discovered that so many students haven’t been able to explore West Virginia and aren’t aware of the employment opportunities that await them. We are thrilled to have had this opportunity to showcase this firsthand to students from across the state, while also giving them an opportunity to become official tourism ambassadors.”

Participants traveled from Wheeling to Parkersburg, from Morgantown to Charleston and from Fayetteville to Logan County, experiencing luxury resorts, baseball games, whitewater rafting and other tourism-centric activities around the state.

It wasn’t just about the experiences – it was about the experts too. Students were given exclusive opportunities to speak with industry professionals at all levels about West Virginia’s tourism economy.

“I have lived in West Virginia my whole life and I have never seen it like this,” said one of the participating students, Christopher Downs of Hampshire County. “The most important thing I learned was how beautiful West Virginia is. I have barely traveled around the state, but this trip showed me what I have missed out on.”

“I participated in the School for Tourism because I wanted to learn how tourism affects West Virginia’s economy,” said another student, Clara Weese of Petersburg. “I also love the outdoors, especially in West Virginia! I wanted to see how I could turn that into a future career. The School of Tourism helped to show me how I may be able to pursue this career within the umbrella of hospitality and tourism.”

Faculty leadership was provided in part by the Hardy Family Hospitality and Tourism Management program in WVU's John Chambers College of Business and Economics. Teaching Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Frank DeMarco adopted the Chambers College’s experiential learning ethos to ensure students gained hands-on industry knowledge.

“There’s no better way to learn than by doing,” said DeMarco. “Experiential learning creates opportunities for students to explore the many career paths of the hospitality and tourism sector. The Governor’s School for Tourism is going to make a huge difference for both these students and West Virginia’s hospitality industry, and I can’t be happier that the Chambers College was able to take part.” 

WVU’s participation in the Governor’s School for Tourism was ultimately an extension of its land-grant mission, serving the state through research, outreach and education. This investment in the next generation of West Virginia’s workforce guarantees the continued success of the state’s hospitality industry, which is quickly becoming one of the most prominent in the nation. 

Members of WVU’s Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative, whose mission is to empower West Virginians to thrive in their home state and expand outdoor educational possibilities, were proud to collaborate on this project. 

“West Virginia has boundless hospitality and tourism career opportunities for its youth to grow into, allowing them to stay in the state that they know and love,” said Alison Conroy, program coordinator at the Smith OEDC. “Our goal is for these near-adult teens to know that they have many pathways under the hospitality and tourism umbrella to live, work and play in West Virginia – and to build their futures here."

-WVU-

AM 9/23/24

CONTACT: Andrew Marvin
Multimedia Specialist
John Chambers College of Business and Economics
andrew.marvin@mail.wvu.edu