New 2024 West Virginia Vacation Guide is unveiled

Jan. 19—By GREG JORDAN

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

BLUEFIELD — Southern West Virginia and the Hatfield-McCoy ATV Trails have a whole section in a new vacation guide that shows visitors the attractions that the Mountain State has to offer.

During an administrative briefing Thursday, Gov. Jim Justice unveiled the 2024 West Virginia Vacation Guide, the state's official travel magazine. Travelers can view the 112-page guide online or get a free copy mailed to them directly. Last year, the West Virginia Department of Tourism distributed over a quarter of a million printed guides to travelers across the nation and around the world.

"I could not be more excited about this year's vacation guide because it showcases our state's incredible beauty," Justice said. "From the breathtaking views to charming mountain towns, this guide truly brings West Virginia to life, and we continue to prove that we're the diamond in the rough. We have people from all over the world wanting to explore our state, and this guide serves as a big reason why interest is still on the rise."

Jeffrey Lusk, executive director of the Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authority, said the trail system and surrounding area are a big part of the new vacation guide.

"There's actually a whole Hatfield-McCoy region in there along with all the other attractions in the area," Lusk said.

The Hatfield-McCoy region includes Mercer, McDowell and Wyoming Counties and goes all the way to Wayne County, he stated. The numbers of riders coming to the trail continue to grow.

"Everything's going really well," Lusk said about the current season, adding that the authority recently compiled the total number of trail permits sold last season.

"We ended up with selling 92,655 permits this year," he said. "That's up from 86,862, so we grew by about 5,803 riders. That's nearly 7 percent growth."

Lusk said this number should keep growing.

'We're looking for a huge 2024," he stated. "We think this is going to be a great year."

The Hatfield-McCoy Trail system is not the only southern West Virginia attraction being featured in the 2024 West Virginia Vacation Guide.

This guide's cover art is a starry sky surrounding the Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory in Monroe County. Using a special printing technique, the front cover is textured to give readers an earthy, sensory experience before even opening the guide, state tourism officials said.

"Showcasing our great state is what we do, and this magazine is our premiere printed piece. We've produced some amazing guides in the past, but this one is my all-time favorite. It is packed with stunning photography and features hidden gems in every corner of the state," West Virginia Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby said. "This year, we are encouraging folks to not only order themselves a copy, but to also send one to friends and family members they'd like to see visit the Mountain State this year."

The 2024 Vacation Guide was produced in partnership with Dotdash Meredith, a leading publisher that also produces Southern Living, Real Simple, and Parents magazines.

This partnership has been recognized in the past by the U.S. Travel Association when West Virginia was recognized as having the top printed piece in the county two years ago. By partnering with Dotdash, the 2024 guide will be mailed directly to 100,000 Travel + Leisure subscribers in West Virginia's target markets to encourage travel to the Mountain State, state officials said.

Organized by seasons, this year's guide highlights the multitude of activities to experience in West Virginia all year long.

The "field guide" in the front of the book, is the introduction to the sights and adventures found in the Mountain State. The guide also features a section all about the state's arts and culture scene with a special story about artisans and creative entrepreneurs throughout West Virginia.

Four perforated postcards, with images from each of West Virginia's distinct seasons make easy tear-away keepsakes and add an interactive element to the guide. There's also a quiz that helps readers discover the road trip best suited for them based on their interests.

Copies of the 2024 West Virginia Vacation Guide can be found in the Governor's Office, the State Museum, all rest areas and welcome centers.

— Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com

Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com