Virginia’s new 2025 tourism data shows visitors spent $98.2 million in Warren County. But a deeper look at where that money was spent reveals something even more important: our biggest tourism opportunity may not be attracting more visitors, but getting more economic value from the visitors already here.

The biggest mistake local tourism boards make may be confusing destination marketing with destination development. Attracting visitors matters—but what happens after they arrive can matter even more.

Destination websites aren't going away, but their role is changing. As AI reshapes how travelers discover and plan trips, tourism websites may evolve from digital visitor guides into the information infrastructure—and digital concierge—for an entire destination.

Social media can introduce thousands of people to a destination, but it can't create the experience they're coming to find. Here's why destination development has to come before amplification.

Wayfinding is no longer just about signs. Today, visitors use their phones to find parking, restaurants, attractions, events, trails, and what to do next. Digital wayfinding is already changing how people discover and navigate destinations—and communities need to start treating it as part of their visitor infrastructure.