Its importance covers the economic, social, and political spheres. The actual word tourist came from England in the early 1800's. The definition generally means, people traveling for pleasure or business, and staying away from home at least overnight. Tourism could not have developed today without a middle class and without relatively inexpensive modes of transportation. About 85 percent of travel is done by use of the car and 14 percent by airplane.
People like to discover what is around the next bend, across the river, or over the mountain.
Surprisingly, the reason most people travel is to visit friends and family. The benefits of travel can include strengthening family ties, providing educational benefits, viewing the scenery, providing cultural awareness, and improving our mental and emotional health. Now, let s round the bend and enter the charming and historic Berkeley County. For those of you who are interested in outlet shopping, historical sites, pastoral settings, or scenic beauty, you will find Berkeley County the place to visit. The Martinsburg-Berkeley County Convention and Visitors Center may have been the first in the state to implement the use of a web site on the Internet, according to David Blythe, Executive Director.