After 40 years as the Commonwealth’s slogan, "Virginia is for lovers" has been named the 10th top tourism campaign of all time by Forbes.com.
The slogan invites visitors to Virginia who love what the Commonwealth has to offer—wine, nature, history and music among other things—and share in the same passions of Virginia residents, according to a very loving press release.
The slogan is part of Virginia’s tourism industry that provides $19 billion a year in revenue, 210,000 jobs and $1.2 billion state and local taxes.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the slogan, the Commonwealth is giving out 40 Virginia vacations in 40 weeks as well as publishing lists such as "40 free things to do while vacationing in Virginia’"throughout 2009.
Virginia shares the top 10 with Canada’s "Locals know" and Jamaica’s "Once you go you know." Las Vegas’ 9-year-old "What happens here stays here"slogan holds the No. 1 spot.
All you need is lovers…to bring $19B a year into the state. Thanks, tourists! Thanks, Forbes!