Visit Southern West Virginia

What Visit Southern West Virginia does

Visit Southern West Virginia is the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for nine counties in southern West Virginia — Fayette, Raleigh, Greenbrier, McDowell, Mercer, Nicholas, Summers, Monroe, and Wyoming. Founded in 1967 and headquartered at 1408 Harper Road in Beckley, WV, the non-profit entity operates as the regional tourism development authority, providing free travel-planning resources to visitors and acting as the coordination layer between travelers and the region's tourism economy.

The organization's core "product" is a digital tourism platform centered on visitwv.com, which serves as a unified content and directory hub. The product portfolio includes the flagship Visit Southern WV Guide, themed digital passports (New River Gorge Beckley & Beyond, Brews & Booze Trail, Historic Coalfields), a searchable event calendar, partner business and lodging directories, curated road trips and itineraries, and travel-planning services spanning group tours, meetings/events, and weddings. Distribution extends across Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, email newsletter, blog content, and downloadable/printable guides. No proprietary software, APIs, or technology systems are disclosed; the platform operates as a content-marketing destination site rather than a modular software product.

Revenue mechanics are not disclosed in the source material. As a DMO, end-user services are free; the organization is conventionally funded through a mix of lodging/hotel tax allocations, member dues from partner businesses, state tourism grants, and event sponsorships — none of which are quantified in the available data. Customer-facing segments span general leisure travelers, adventure/outdoor enthusiasts, and meeting/event planners, served through a horizontal segmentation approach. Select strategic partners include Adventures on the Gorge, ACE Adventure Resort, River Expeditions, Winterplace Ski Resort, Hatfield-McCoy Trails, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, The Greenbrier Resort, Carnegie Hall, Bridge Day, and various performing arts venues.

Name

Visit Southern West Virginia

Legal name

Visit Southern West Virginia

Website

https://visitwv.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Visit Southern West Virginia is a non-profit destination marketing organization (DMO) founded in 1967 and headquartered in Beckley, WV, that promotes tourism across nine counties by providing free digital travel-planning resources, themed digital passports, event listings, and partner directories to leisure visitors, adventure seekers, and event planners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Destination Marketing & Tourism Promotion

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Tours, Activities & Experiences Booking Marketplaces (THALAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Recreation & Activity Services (Hiking, Boating, Climbing, Fishing—Guided/Authorized) (THAAAGAF), Inbound DMCs (Full-Service Ground Handling) (THAKAEAA)

Keywords

• Destination marketing
• Tourism promotion
• Travel planning resources
• Visitor information services
• Regional tourism development

Headquarters

HQ city

Beckley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Visit Southern West Virginia is a nonprofit destination marketing organization (DMO) that promotes travel and tourism across a nine-county region in southern West Virginia. It provides free digital and print travel guides, themed digital passports (New River Gorge, Brews & Booze, Historic Coalfields), a comprehensive event calendar, lodging and partner business directories, curated road-trip itineraries, and travel planning services for groups, meetings, and weddings.

Product overview

Visit Southern West Virginia operates as a destination marketing organization (DMO) providing a comprehensive tourism platform that connects travelers with the region's nine counties (Fayette, Raleigh, Greenbrier, McDowell, Mercer, Nicholas, Summers, Monroe, and Wyoming). The organization's product portfolio centers on its flagship Visit Southern WV Guide and Digital Passports (New River Gorge Beckley & Beyond, Brews & Booze, Coal Mining Heritage, Historic Coalfields), which serve as the primary promotional tools. These are complemented by an Event Calendar, Partner Business Directory, Lodging Directory, and Road Trips & Itineraries. Travel Planning Services including group tours, meeting/event planning, and wedding services round out the offering. The platform functions as a unified tourism hub rather than a modular software product, with all components serving the unified mission of promoting Southern West Virginia as a travel destination.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Visit Southern WV Guide Flagship comprehensive travel guide publication providing tourism information about attractions, lodging, dining, and activities across the region's nine counties, available free to visitors.
• Digital Passports Themed digital passport programs including New River Gorge Beckley & Beyond Passport, Brews & Booze Trail, Coal Mining Heritage, and West Virginia's Historic Coalfields Passport that guide travelers through themed tourism experiences.
• Event Calendar Comprehensive searchable event listing platform showcasing fairs, festivals, concerts, sporting events, and community gatherings across Southern West Virginia's nine counties, filterable by date, location, and category.
• Lodging Directory Searchable directory of accommodation options including cabins, vacation rentals, hotels, motels, inns, resorts, lodges, and campgrounds throughout Southern West Virginia.
• Partner Business Directory Directory of tourism partners including adventure outfitters, restaurants, shops, attractions, and service providers throughout Southern West Virginia, organized by activity and category.
• Road Trips & Itineraries Curated travel itineraries and road trip routes including New River Gorge Beckley & Beyond, Southern Farmlands, and Brews & Booze trails designed for multi-day regional exploration.
• Travel Planning Services Comprehensive travel planning resources including group tours, meeting & event planning, wedding services, and newsletter subscriptions supporting visitors and event planners across the nine-county region.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Adventures on the Gorge (AOTG)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured whitewater rafting partner offering over 35 years of experience. Provides adventure activities including rafting, climbing, ziplines, and aerial tours. AOTG appears prominently in destination marketing materials.
• ACE Adventure ResortcoreGTM or Marketing Partner1,500-acre adventure resort featured as North America's Largest Adventure Resort. Offers rafting, kayaking, fishing, zip lining, mountain biking, ATV tours, camping, deluxe cabins, 5-acre adventure park and lake, and dining.
• River ExpeditionscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured partner and the area's only family-owned outfitter. Offers adventure on the New River and Gauley River with paintball, camping, and cabin accommodations.
• Winterplace Ski ResortcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMost Accessible and Affordable Ski Resort in the Southeast. Southern West Virginia's only ski resort offering skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing.
• Hatfield-McCoy TrailscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOver 700 miles (1,000+ miles claimed) of ATV trails making it the largest contiguous off-road trail system in the United States. Located across multiple counties in Southern West Virginia.
• New River Gorge National Park and PreservecoreGTM or Marketing Partner70,000-acre national park and preserve between Hinton and Hawks Nest. America's newest national park (est. 2020) featuring hiking, climbing, rafting, and scenic vistas.
• Summersville Lake State ParkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWest Virginia's newest state park centered around Summersville Lake, the state's largest lake with over 60 miles of shoreline.
• Carnegie Hall (Lewisburg, WV)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of only four Carnegie Halls remaining in the world. Premier performing arts venue in Lewisburg, WV - designated 'America's Coolest Small Town' by Budget Travel.
• The Greenbrier ResortmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFamous resort in White Sulphur Springs offering historic luxury accommodations, championship golf (including Oakhurst Links - first organized golf club in the US), and mineral springs.
• The State Fair of West VirginiamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual state fair held in August featuring agriculture, education, and family entertainment. Major regional event attracting visitors across West Virginia and surrounding states.
• Bridge DaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWest Virginia's largest single-day festival and one of the largest extreme sports festivals in the world. Held annually on the third Saturday in October at the New River Gorge Bridge.
• Summit Bechtel ReservecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier outdoor adventure facility offering unforgettable family vacations with camping, climbing, zip lining, and other outdoor activities.
• Tamarack MarketplacecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe state's premiere destination for West Virginia-made products. Features the finest in fine art, crafts, and Appalachian goods.
• Weathered Ground BreweryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily-owned brewery located on beautiful farmland. Small batch WV farmhouse ales crafted with the finest ingredients. Featured on Brews & Booze Trail.
• Kirkwood Winery & Isaiah Morgan DistilleryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured on the Brews & Booze Trail with wines and artisanal spirits. The Country Store offers regional heritage crafts.
• Greenbrier Valley TheatrecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe State Professional Theatre of West Virginia. Offers live performance theatre, music events, children productions, and literary readings.
• Theatre West VirginiacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional theatre dedicated to serving the performing arts, artists, and residents of Southern West Virginia.
• Chuck Mathena CentermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNearly 1,000 seat theatre with state-of-the-art audio and visual capabilities and stunning architecture. Regional performing arts venue.
• Bridge WalkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDaily catwalk walking tours across the New River Gorge Bridge - the longest steel arch bridge in the western hemisphere.
• Wild Blue Adventure CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerScenic flights over the New River Gorge in a historic WWII biplane.
• National Coal Heritage AreacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIncludes 13 counties in southern West Virginia, showcasing America's coal mining heritage through trails, historic sites, and interpretive centers.
• Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure ParkmajorGTM or Marketing Partner10,000 acres with 120 miles of ATV, SxS, Dirt Bike and Jeep trails. Offers cabin accommodations, camping, and RV sites.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/visitwv
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC7te3nM6dSt88etFba6Mrfg
• Facebookfacebook.com/visitwv
• Instagraminstagram.com/visitwv
• TikToktiktok.com/@visitwv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Visit Southern West Virginia