Thursday, March 28, 2024

Williamsburg earns spot on New York Times list

A new exhibit at the Jamestown Settlement is expected to be a big draw for tourists. (Photo courtesy of Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation)
An exhibit at the Jamestown Settlement that showcases women’s contributions to the development of the United States is expected to be a big draw for tourists. (WYDaily/Courtesy of Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation)

Whether you’re traveling from the other side of the globe or the country, the Williamsburg area is a target destination.

For the second time in two months, the Williamsburg area has been named one of the places to visit in 2019. The New York Times recently ranked it 12th on its worldwide listing of “52 Places to Go in 2019.”

In December, Forbes’ “14 Best Places to travel in the U.S. in 2019” included Colonial Williamsburg and the Great Williamsburg area.

Both publications made note that this year is the 400th anniversary of some of the most pivotal events in American history. The New York Times made specific mention of an exhibit at Jamestown Settlement called “Tenacity: Women in Jamestown and Early Virginia.” It details the often-overlooked role women played in the country’s development.

“We’re just happy to have our museums and our new exhibit be part of it, and listed with other Williamsburg attractions as a place to visit,” said Tracy Perkins, the media relations manager for the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.

Yuri Milligan, the associate director for marketing and communications for the 2019 Commemoration, noted a team effort is making it possible for all of the celebrations.

“The Commemoration has worked with partners in the Historic Triangle and all across the commonwealth to plan a host of events, programs and exhibitions that amplify Virginia as a top destination for history and heritage tourism,” she said.

Perkins, who has been with the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation since 1999, is reminded of another celebration.

“We had America’s 400th anniversary in 2007, so Virginia and the Williamsburg area received substantial attention during that commemorative year,” she said.

Other main attractions in the area (Busch Gardens and Water Country USA among them) also drew the attention of those voting on the lists.

“Greater Williamsburg is such a diverse destination that we are truly fortunate to have so many wonderful offerings that will allow us to be included on such lists,” said Dave Potter, the director of marketing communications for the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance.

According to a list compiled by Potter, the area hasn’t been on these two lists before. However, it has made numerous others – from best pet-friendly attraction (Colonial Williamsburg) to best small towns for Christmas to creepiest haunted houses and spooky places, and many more.

Potter said his group doesn’t have any scientific surveys showing an appearance on such lists leads to increased tourism. However, one metric they use in tracking tourism is hotel occupancy. He said he was speaking recently to someone in the hotel business who noted the area had a 50 percent occupancy rate last year for the first time in many years.

“I do know that two or three years ago, we were at 48 percent,” he said. “But that’s just one of he metrics they look at.”

Still, it’s good news.

“It helps us when we go out to pitch travel writers on why they should be coming here,” he said. “ I love it. It’s great. … To me, it shows that everything that we’re doing is working. We’re getting the right people’s attention.”

For more information on area attractions, here are some websites:

https://colonialwilliamsburg.com

https://www.americanevolution2019.com/

http://www.historyisfun.org/jamestown-settlement/

https://historicjamestowne.org/

https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/

https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/water-country-usa

Related Articles

MORE FROM AUTHOR