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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alan Fogg,
Director of Communications
afogg@fceda.org, 703-790-0600
Re-Opened Fairfax County Visitors Center Referred Nearly 19,000 Visitors to County Businesses
Fairfax County, Virginia, October 13, 1997 — The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) has announced that the Fairfax County Visitors Center referred approximately 19,000 visitors to the County's small businesses, hotels, restaurants and retail establishments since re-opening seven months ago. At the current rate of referrals, the center will surpass the '95-96 figure of 24,000 referrals. During the summer months the Visitors Center averages nearly 250 calls per month with an additional 176 daily visitors frequenting the Center at the Best Western Gunston Corner location.
In acknowledgment of the Visitors Center's current success, Patricia M. Woolsey, chairman of the FCEDA stated, "This large number of referrals made by the Visitors Center — in less than seven months of operation— is a clear indication that Fairfax County is clearly a premier business and leisure destination."
Statewide, tourism in Virginia is an almost $10 billion industry. Tourism in Fairfax County -- a $1.3 billion industry -- is one of the most important sectors of the County's economy.
The Visitors Center re-opened early this Spring with a $30,000 mid-year appropriation from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and a unique partnership with the Best Western Gunston Corner. The Visitors Center receives funding of $60,000 annually from the County. As part of the public/private partnership, the Best Western provides the space, parking and security, allowing the Center to run at less than half its previous budget.
The Visitors Center is located near the historic Route 1 area of Fairfax County, with easy access to and from Interstate 95. The Visitors Center also serves as an information resource for County residents.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau is a division of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA). The Authority provides services and information designed to promote Fairfax County as a business location for domestic and international companies and organizations. The FCEDA assists businesses by identifying possible sites and facilities, provides information for employees relocating to Fairfax County and is a source for up-to-date demographic and economic statistics. For more information visit FCEDA's Web page at www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org.
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