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Virginia tourism hit $25 billion in 2017

By Jeff Clabaugh

WASHINGTON — Tourism in Virginia continues booming.

The tourism industry, the state’s fifth-largest employer, reached $25 billion in revenue in 2017. That’s a 4.4 percent increase over 2016, according to new statewide data released Tuesday.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said tourism in Virginia supported 232,000 jobs last year, a 1.1 percent increase.

Overall, the industry provided $1.73 billion in state and local revenue, up 2.8 percent.

Domestic visitors spent $68 million a day in Virginia last year, the state said.

The tourism industry in Virginia was responsible for $5.9 billion in payroll income last year, up 4.8 percent from 2016.

“Our tourism industry is an important and vital component of economic growth and job creation in Virginia,” said Brian Ball, Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “As the tourism sector continues to grow and new product is developed, our communities across the state become even more dynamic and vibrant.”

The Virginia Tourism Corporation is sticking to its “Virginia is for Lovers” marketing brand, which marks its 50th anniversary next year.

Virginia is for Lovers is the longest-running state tourism slogan in the country.

Massachusetts court hears arguments in lawsuit alleging Meta designed apps to be addictive to kids

By The Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' highest court heard oral arguments Friday in the state's lawsuit arguing that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram to make them addictive to young users. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, alleges that Meta did this to make a profit and that its actions affected hundreds of thousands of teenagers in Massachusetts who use the social media platforms. “We are making claims based only on the tools that Meta has developed because its own research shows they encourage addiction to the platform in a variety of ways,” said State Solicitor David Kravitz, adding that the state's claim has nothing to do the company's algorithms or failure to moderate content. Meta said Friday that it strongly disagrees with the allegations and is “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” Its attorney, Mark Mosier, argued in court that the lawsuit “would impose liabilities for performing traditional publishing functions” and that its actions are protected by the First Amendment.
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