VISIT FAIRFAX IS PASSIONATE ABOUT SPREADING THE WORD AWARD

Virginia Tourism Corporation Awards Visit Fairfax for Outstanding Tourism Week Rally Event

Fairfax County, VA - September 30, 2009 - The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) honored Visit Fairfax on Tuesday evening with its annual Passionate About Spreading the Word Award, which "recognizes outstanding efforts by the Virginia travel industry to educate elected officials and the public about the benefits of tourism to Virginia."

Visit Fairfax received the award for its Tourism Week Rally held this past May at Tysons Corner Center, one of the largest shopping centers on the East Coast. The event was designed to unite the travel industry while educating the community on the significant impact of tourism in their lives to the tune of more than $2.5 Billion in the local economy. That being such an overwhelming number, Visit Fairfax President and CEO Barry Biggar pointed out that tourists spent over $48 million in a week, $7 million in a day, and almost $300,000 each hour in Fairfax County. The event also included remarks from Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust (Dranesville) and one of Fairfax County's ‘First Residents,' Lady Martha Washington from the historic Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens.

The Passionate About Spreading the Word Award winners were announced at the 2009 VA-1 Conference in Alexandria, VA on September 28-29, 2009.

Visit Fairfax is the official tourism organization for Fairfax County, Virginia. Charged with destination marketing and tourism promotion, it is directed by many of the County's top tourism and hospitality leaders. For more information, please visit www.fxva.com.

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Editors Note: Pictures from the Visit Fairfax Tourism Week Rally are available upon request.