W.Va. Senator focused on expanding tourism - WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

W.Va. Senator Jay Rockefeller says he is committed to expanding tourism across the state.

Senator Rockefeller spoke Tuesday at the annual Governor's Conference on Tourism.

44,000 people are employed in tourism across the state.

"Tourism is vitally important to West Virginia's economy, and our state's pride," Rockefeller said.

Senator Rockefeller said a major aspect of the tourism industry is the benefit for small businesses.

In press release Rockefeller added, "we all know West Virginia is the most beautiful place in the world, and our people are second-to-none, but we don't have a monopoly on exciting places to visit, or things to do. So in finding ways to bring more tourists to West Virginia, we need to work together, develop innovative strategies and harness new technologies to compete with other states, and other countries, for traveler's dollars."