tourism | ALXnow

Visit Alexandria Focusing on Micro Weddings, Online Offerings as Economic Comeback Could Take Years

Published February 2, 2021 at 1:15PM

It might take years for Alexandria’s economy to recover from the impact of the pandemic, but there are plenty of developments down the road.

Micro weddings, new businesses and tourism expectations this year were just a few of the topics covered by Visit Alexandria in its annual membership meeting last week. While offset by positive news of business developments along the waterfront, the meeting was full of sobering statistics on drastically reduced revenues in nearly all sectors of the local economy.

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Local Wonder Woman Promotions Include Cocktails, Popcorn, Tattoos

By Vernon Miles

Published December 29, 2020 at 10:30AM

The Virginia Tourism Bureau is going all-in on exploiting one Alexandria scene in the fairly mediocre new Wonder Woman movie.

A new display will feature a “Virginia is for Lovers” drum prop featured for a split second during one action sequence when a goon gets thrown through it.

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Lee-Fendall House Opens Winter Victorian Tours

By Vernon Miles

Published November 24, 2020 at 11:30AM

With the approach of the yuletide season, the Lee-Fendall House (614 Oronoco Street) in Alexandria has decked out the home in full 19th century regalia for candlelight tours.

“Celebrate the holiday season with evening candlelight tours of the Lee-Fendall House decked out in Victorian splendor,” the Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden said on Facebook. “Our antique toy exhibit will also be on view.”

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published October 23, 2020 at 9:00AM

Beyer Calls Trump Most Corrupt President in History — “Congress has worked to stop their misconduct; I requested some of these Hatch Act investigations myself. But this administration’s abuses are so widespread that it’s hard to keep track of it all (hence this thread). Trump is the most openly corrupt President in history.” [Twitter]

Are You Eligible for the Grocery Store Gift Card Program? — “Individuals and families whose household incomes have been impacted by the pandemic may be eligible to receive grocery store gift cards in amounts ranging from $100-$400.” [Twitter]

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City Releasing Torpedo Factory Draft Action Plan Today

By James Cullum

Published October 16, 2020 at 10:35AM | Updated October 20, 2020 at 11:41AM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria will release a draft action plan for revitalizing the Torpedo Factory Art Center today (October 16), and the proposal on the table includes a front entrance on the waterfront and a more interactive experience for families.

The city took over operations of the Torpedo Factory in 2016, and the art center traditionally sees more than a half a million visitors every year. But Diane Ruggiero, the city’s deputy director for recreation, parks and cultural activities, says that it doesn’t have a family-friendly atmosphere.

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POLL: Are You Traveling This Holiday Season?

By James Cullum

Published October 13, 2020 at 5:00PM

At Gravelly Point, a man in a folding chair reads a book as planes land outside Reagan National Airport (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The 2020 holiday season is before us, but the Alexandria Health Department is advising residents to stay home.

For thousands of residents, the annual fall and winter celebrations are heartwarming chances for friends and family to reconnect, however this year has been all about limited gatherings.

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Alexandria Named Fifth Best Small City in U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler

By James Cullum

Published October 7, 2020 at 10:15AM

Walking on King Street in Old Town, Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Even after an unforgettable year stricken by a pandemic, Alexandria has been named one of the best small cities in the United States.

Alexandria took the fifth spot in the Condé Nast Traveler’s 33rd annual Readers’ Choice Awards. The city placed third last year and fourth the year before that.

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Visit Alexandria Hosting Food Drive Until October 15

By James Cullum

Published October 1, 2020 at 5:00PM

Bags of food from ALIVE! were given to Arlandria residents on May 21, 2020 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s tourism bureau is participating in a COVID Relief Food Drive starting today and ending on October 15.

Visit Alexandria says that the food will benefit individuals in the hospitality industry who have been impacted by COVID-19.

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Visit Alexandria Launches Virtual Tours and Experiences Page

By James Cullum

Published September 29, 2020 at 11:45AM | Updated October 1, 2020 at 11:42AM

If you’re staying in tonight, Visit Alexandria has launched a new virtual tour and experiences page.

Tourism has taken a substantial hit during the pandemic, and the effort allows visitors to virtually stroll down King Street, take a virtual ghost tour and get in a yoga workout.

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Visit Alexandria Thanks Business Community for Adapting to the Times

By James Cullum

Published September 24, 2020 at 11:45AM

Lower King Street in Old Town, Alexandria, in June 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

It has been a year full of challenges, and on Wednesday night Visit Alexandria’s annual report was different than years past. The event was virtual and this year the city’s tourism bureau and city leaders thanked and congratulated business owners and the community for making it this far through the pandemic.

“I’ve been inspired over the last six months to see the businesses in our community bravely fight through the worst year they have ever seen, mustering their incredible creativity, their flexibility and their partnership.,” said Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, adding that the city lost $12 million in consumption-based taxes that have not been collected.

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First Lady Northam, Officials Promote Safe Tourism Amid Pandemic in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published July 23, 2020 at 10:30AM | Updated July 23, 2020 at 1:02PM

First Lady of Virginia Pamela Northam talks about tourism at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town on Thursday

Tourism in Alexandria isn’t what it used to be. With local economies devastated by the pandemic, First Lady of Virginia Pamela Northam visited Alexandria on Wednesday (July 22) to promote safe tourism and congratulate the city on winning a $10,000 grant for its Great Walks program.

“In 2018, Virginia tourists spent more than $26 billion here, and this put 235,000 people to work and contributed $1.8 billion in local and state tax revenue,” Northam told a small audience in the Torpedo Factory Art Center. “This year, however, our tourism and hospitality industries have been among the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.”