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Despite the advice of a 1990s R&B/Pop group, it's OK to chase waterfalls. At least that's the hope of the latest campaign developed by West Virginia's tourism officials.
In the last few days, I've caught a few news articles and social media posts about West Virginia's Waterfall Trail, which officially launched Thursday. By going online to WVtourism.com/waterfalls, individuals may register and have a virtual passport sent to their smartphone.
The passport provides a list of more than two dozen of the approximately 200 waterfalls in our state, and, as people visit each waterfall, they simply access the passport on their phone and check in to receive credit for their visit. It's made possible through a partnership with travel technology platform Bandwango.
Apparently, as you visit each waterfall, you also will receive suggestions on other nearby destinations to help fill out your trek with activities. There also are prizes involved, as if you needed more incentive to get out and have a look around our beautiful state. Visit three waterfalls and receive a custom sticker; 10 you get an aluminum water bottle; and 20 or more a T-shirt.
West Virginia's state tourism officials have put in a great deal of work over the years to find inventive ways to promote our state to our own residents and those who may be looking to come here for a bit of a getaway. Much of the effort has focused on the state's natural wonders, and that's great. I applaud their work, and hope it pays dividends and shows people what we have to offer, moving us far away from the stereotypes and assumptions.
I only have two concerns with this, and neither deal with the ideas behind the program itself.
The first is (hopefully) temporary, and that deals with gas prices and other inflation-related issues this year. The average price of gas has gone over $5, and that may cut down on the number of trips people take this summer or fall. Taking that in mind, it may take a while for the tour to catch on with residents and visitors alike.
The other is more about the technology available to us.
We hear about issues with broadband availability in many areas of our state, and how difficult it is for people to connect to the internet for even their day-to-day needs. There are similar issues in many parts of our state when it comes to smartphone reception.
For example, several of the waterfalls featured on the tour list are in the area of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. That's great as it would provide even more incentive to bring people to our newest national park. I happen to have visited the New River Gorge area for a long weekend around this time last year. My family rented a cabin at Babcock State Park, and we visited New River and a few other state parks in the vicinity. There were, though, more than a few areas where I was unable to receive enough reception to make a phone call or send an email, let alone open an app on my smartphone.
The same has happened during trips to Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls in recent years.
If we are going to focus a tourism program around the use of technology, let's hope that technology can be used the way it is needed when it is time.
West Virginia has some great programs to encourage visitation throughout our mountains and valleys. The State Parks' Very Important Parks Person program is one. Some have put together tours on historical sites, wineries and vineyards, food, and more. It's all wild and wonderful, and if it helps the state, that's what matters.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter @CHowellWDT)