“We are deeply honored, excited, delighted and just happy that this day has come.” New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Superintendent Lizzie Watts said Wednesday.

Can you tell she is excited All West Virgins should share their enthusiasm for the new 7,021 hectare park, for which new signage was dedicated this week. The name change is a huge boost for the state and certainly for the economy in the Fayette County area. Of course, we know what treasure we’ve always had in our midst (and that it’s one of many), but it will be a lot easier now for those from all over the country and around the world looking for destinations like national parks to discover.

The number of visitors to the region has already increased. According to the State Department of Tourism, visits to Fayette County in the first quarter rose 14 percent compared to pre-2019 pandemic numbers.

“If I gave you more predictions later this year, you’d be even more impressed because we’re seeing higher and higher numbers.” said Minister of Tourism Chelsea Ruby. “Everyone here will tell you the bookings have expired, the trips have expired, everything has expired. We think this is just the beginning. “

Let’s hope so. There is so much potential here in the mountain state that given the right access to resources and the right support from the communities, we could build that kind of excitement in every corner. Congratulations to everyone who worked to make our new national park a reality.

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