December 2, 2006
Marketing West Virginia Tourism with We Are Marshall
We Are Marshall, starring Matthew McConaughey, opens nationally Dec. 22. The movie is about how Marshall University recovered from a Nov. 14, 1970 plane crash that killed 75 people (including most of Marshall's football team).
Since Marshall University is in Huntington, West Virginia, some of the filming was done there. When the DVD comes out, it will feature West Virginia as a tourist attraction. So if you look at the special features section, you get West Virginia tourism, bloopers, and interviews with actors. Warner Brothers received state financing ($300,000 worth) while filming in Huntington.
This is an interesting tactic for promoting tourism. I went camping in West Virginia 8 or 9 years ago, but I don't know too much about vacation places there. If you know something or have some thoughts on this marketing idea, please leave a comment.
Posted by James Trotta at December 2, 2006 1:29 AM | TrackBack
Whitewater rafting in summer; skiing in winter; great state park system; great affordable golf
Posted by: Grant McGuire at December 2, 2006 8:27 AMI think it's a great idea to include it in the "extras" on the DVD. This film is going to appeal to a wide variety of people who might never have considered vacationing in West Virginia. Many people only think in terms of "hillbilly" stereotypes and coal mines but they don't call it "Almost Heaven" for nothing.
Posted by: kiki at December 2, 2006 9:41 AMWest Virginia is a BEAUTIFUL state. The Greenbriar hotel is just one of the wonderful places there! It's a great place to spend the night or a weekend. Very elegant and regal. Hawk's Nest State park is another neat place hidden way up in the mountains. There's an adventure around every mountain curve in Wild Wonderful West Virginia!
Posted by: Helen at December 2, 2006 11:32 PMI have spent a great deal of time in West Virginia, and can recommend it highly as a vacation destination. Pipestem State Park is gorgeous, rafting the Upper Gauley River is a thrill and a drive through the mountains offers breathtaking views.
By all means, visit West Virginia
Posted by: John at December 3, 2006 5:41 AMI've lived in five states due to my career, and one of them was West Virginia. No doubt the most beautiful place overall in the east/southeastern United States. It's got everything... mountains, beautiful rivers, and spectacular fall colors. Great for the outdoors lover... hunting, fishing, and downhill skiing.
Posted by: bob at December 4, 2006 10:50 AMI grew up in Huntington and was only 10yrs old when the crash happened. The city wasnt quite the college town it has become today, but it still has a lot of the old charm it did back the. I live in Gatlinburg now, but Huntington has just as much right to promote itself in any manner any other city would. The great thing about vacationing there would be the small abount of crowds you will face due to tourism. Its just like going to a unknown treasure that you discove on your own.
Posted by: doctorsid at December 4, 2006 10:44 PM