CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice today unveiled the new West Virginia Vacation Guide, a travel inspiration magazine dedicated to promoting Almost Heaven, West Virginia. This year’s guide is a special edition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
“I’ve been saying it since the first day I took office: John Denver surely got it right when he coined ‘Almost Heaven, West Virginia.’ The song is a perfect love letter to our great state, and one that so many know by heart,” Gov. Justice said. “I’m so proud of this new guide. It showcases our four beautiful seasons, unmatched outdoor activities, and several of our incredible small mountain towns.”
Work on the 2021 Vacation Guide had already begun prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the guide’s focus shifted slightly as new travel trends emerged showing the post-COVID traveler’s strong desire for road trips, outdoor recreation, and crowd-free small towns.
These trends align with not only the experiences West Virginia has to offer visitors, but also the anniversary of Denver’s beloved tune. The new guide focuses heavily on road trips across the Mountain State.
“As soon as we saw the research on road trips, we knew we had the perfect pitch,” said Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby. “Summer road trips in West Virginia lead to destinations where folks can reconnect with what’s been missing over the past year. It’s the same sense of longing people feel each time they hear ‘Country Roads.’”
The 2021 Vacation Guide was produced in partnership with Meredith Travel Marketing, a leading publisher which produces Southern Living, Real Simple, and Parents. This spring, more than 100,000 West Virginia Vacation Guides will be included with subscriber copies of Southern Living, Real Simple, and Parents magazines to encourage summer road trips to the Mountain State.
The Vacation Guide also features interactive content with the use of QR codes throughout. When scanned, codes bring the guides to life in a digital format and unlock exclusive content such as new covers of “Country Roads” by West Virginia artists and travel inspiration from more than 50 tourism partners.
“Our goal was to create a new marketing piece that helps visitors plan their trip whenever they may be ready. Spring, summer, winter, or fall – you’ll find travel tips and ideas for all seasons,” Ruby said. “By adding interactive components, we will continue to update and share new content with prospective travelers all year long.”
To request a copy of the special edition West Virginia Vacation Guide, visit WVtourism.com.
