Evening star., 1951-08-20
State Neglects
Tourist Trade,
Virginia Told
TroveI Survey Report
Sets Loss in Millions
Due to Poor PIonninq
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va, Aug. 90
Travellers by the tens of thousands
stream into Virginia every year
but the State still isn't realizing
it's tourist potential.
And the result, the Advisory
Council on the Virginia economy
finds, is a loss of millions Of doll
lars annually by the Old Dominion
in travel trade.
These millions accordingly
could result in higher standard
Of living for thousands of Vir-
ginianS.
The Advisory Council, in a
voluminous. 230-page research re-
port issued today, says Virginia'S
tourist attractiveness is in need Of
greater development. Further
more. the present tourist spots
needs more publicizing.
Research Held Inadequate.
The study is critical of the
State conservation and Develop
ment for failure to base it's annual
$780, 900 budget upon sufficient
research.
In a survey of tourists, the
States main roads, scenery and
hospitality rated highest in the
visitors regard of Virginia. Yet:
the report points out. roads and
hospitality were rarely mentioned
in the States advertising.
The study, tabled by State
Senator Lloyd c. Bird of Chester
field, chairman of the 52-member
council, as "the most comprehen-
sive study of the travel trade ever
made in Virginia" was prepared
by Charles L. Quittmeyer, market
ing Specialist of the College Of
William and Mary.
AS part of the research in
volved, he designed a detailed
QUESTIONABLE for use by a cross
section of travellers who had vis-
tied lodging places or made in
quiry about the States vacation
spots.
Average Stay I Days.
The survey showed that the
average expenditure of the visitor
was $10.12 per person per day.
the average stay was seven days.
and SO per cent of the visitors
Travelled by automobile.
Although the vast majority
complimented the State on its
system of highways, two COM
: plants noted too many dogs in
d the roads"
Il The research study discusses
e aspects of the trade from both
: consumer and producer point OF
view. Citing the fact that hotel
n construction is almost at stand
IS still, the report says more high
5, standard tourist courts are needed
e in some areas of the State.
In fact. the report finds thai
. tourist courts seem to be gaining
q in popularity. anyway. The in.
y formality of tourist courts has lee
several hotels to construct side en-.
frances to attract casually dressed
= motorists who don't care to en-.
= = ter a formal lobby.
lt The report recommends tha'
It the States tourist trade promoter
serve better food and improv,
t, their lodging and rest room stand
N ards.
n Business Urged to Aid.
1t Private business is urged to Co
operate in joint advertising ant
lie promotion, in the realization tina
" all will gain if visitors can be en-
ticed to Virginia.
RI The report lists the Shenandoah
: Valley, the Skyline Drive and Blu
ID Ridge Parkway, Charlottesville
n Richmond, Fredericksburg, Viii
l. liamsburg. Tidewater and Virgini,
Beach as prosperous tourists areas
Three areas are described a
n notably lacking in facilities for va
v cationers. They are the South
west, where transportation is
prime difficulty. the Eastern Shor
and Southside Virginia, wher
= scenery and historical attraction
81 are not as capable of development
81 at present.
At But despite its shortcomings
Virginia's travel trade managed t,
q turn profit last year, estimates
e. at S528 million