The tourism industry in West Virginia is booming, with the West Virginia Department of Tourism announcing a historic $9 billion economic impact in 2024. Contributing to the rise in impact is the over 77 million people who visited the Mountain State, a 2 million increase over the previous year. Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby told Eyewitness News that a multifaceted approach is what has helped make West Virginia a destination for many on the East Coast. There is West Virginia advertising in Tampa, New York, and Myrtle Beach, where direct flights are offered. According to the Department of Tourism those 77 million visitors spent over $6 billion in the state, and to break that down even further that’s around $18 million spent every single day. The states motto of Wild and Wonderful is one of the aspects continuing to bring in millions of visitors every year.