Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance Blog

Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle are featured in the August edition of SPOKES magazine. It’s available for viewing from their online home page – www.spokesmagazine.com. The City of Williamsburg’s Planning Director, Reed Nester, played a key role in educating the writer and promoting Williamsburg as a great destination for bicycling.

Looking for something to do outdoors witht he family? Check out the Alliance biking brochure for family friendly routes and routes for the expert biker around the Historic Triangle.

*The Alliance continues to be involved in the Virginia rest stop issue. This letter was sent to the Governor earlier this week.

August 11, 2009

 The Honorable Timothy Kaine
Governor of Virginia
Patrick Henry Building, 3^rd Floor
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA  23219

 Dear Governor Kaine:

 During recent public hearings conducted by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) our organization spoke in opposition to the recommendation to close 25 of the state’s 41 safety rest areas as a cost-cutting measure.  The travel industry in the Williamsburg area is struggling to survive and closing these areas eliminates a prime opportunity to promote our attractions as well as others across the Commonwealth.  While we were pleased with the decision to only close 19, we were disappointed all were not able to remain open.

 The two nominees for Governor have pledged to re-open these rest areas within 90 days of taking office.  With this in mind, we respectfully ask you to curtail the “mothballing” of the rest areas.  This expensive proposed step will remove fixtures and toilets and secure the buildings for eventual demolition.  But, it also will add to the cost of re-opening them in the event the incoming Governor is successful in funding them.

 We support the efforts of other like business organizations who believe it would be prudent to delay the costly mothballing process until a final determination is made by your successor and the 2010 General Assembly.  If they are successful in meeting their pledge, the Commonwealth will significantly save in reopening these facilities.

 We appreciate this opportunity to share our thoughts with you. 

 Sincerely,
Richard A. Schreiber,
President & CEO

Alliance Gets Green Recognition!

 The Alliance is proud to announce that it has been recognized as a “Virginia Green Travel Organization” by the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Hospitality and Tourism Association.  Our commitment to recycling, waste reduction, energy and water conservation reflect our participation in the Virginia Green program, and we support its goal of promoting environmentally friendly practices in all aspects of Virginia’s tourism industry. Visit www.virginia.org/green/ for more information on this statewide program.

 With more visitors, travel industry professionals and area residents making the environment part of their decision-making, go-green initiatives mean good business. 

We are adding information about our area’s many green initiatives to the Alliance website. While Virginia Green focuses specifically on travel-related businesses, the Alliance would like to include the environmentally friendly efforts being made by all of our members.

Leave a comment detailing your green efforrs – whether you are just starting or have initiatives under way.