Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 4 · column 1 of 3 · from the scan, no model involved
Editorial
Clean industry
Much has been written about preserving the Northern Piedmont, and no doubt there is still a great deal of work to do. Those looking for direction in the battle for our countryside should probably examine the findings of a new survey, “The Fall Visitor in Virginia,” recently released by the Virginia Department of Tourism.
Tourism is a clean industry, one that brings in a good deal of money without harming the environment very much. In Rappahannock we are fortunate to have several regionally and nationally known restaurants and bed-and-breakfasts. They enhance retail and tax coffers without polluting our streams and they don’t demand a great deal in the way of government services.
The horse industry has also pumped up local economies, especially during steeplechase season. And the leaf peepers, as we all know, do spend money here on their way to the Drive.
The Department of Tourism cites research that indicates that about one-fourth of all travel through Virginia by outsiders occurs during the fall, while summer accounts for about half of all visits (the beach attracts many).
The median amount of money spent per travel party was $483, about the same in fall and summer. Statewide, the average expenditure per night was $77, and it varies depending on size of party, length of stay, type of lodging and transportation.
The Williamsburg area and our own Blue Ridge Mountains were the top rated attractions, with 41 percent and 40 percent of respondents saying they planned to visit those sights, respectively. Skyline Drive was the destination for 33 percent of fall visitors to Virginia, a figure with local impact.
Tourism doesn’t require new subdivisions, doesn’t bring on acid rain or other industrial side-effects, and provides regions that encourage it with an economic shot-in-the-arm during the tourist season. There aren’t many industries that have as many advantages and so few negatives'}
Regionally the Drive, apple season, hotels-^estaurants and the horse events are the biggest attractions. Tn Rappahannock we might try to develop a fewjE&opept may help save our beautiful countryside. ^
96.3%