Latest Fact-checks in Tourism Jim Justice stated on September 12, 2023 in a post on X: “2022 was the biggest tourism year ever in West Virginia” Andrew Clyde stated on May 12, 2021 in a House hearing: “Watching the TV footage of those who entered the Capitol. … If you didn't know the TV footage was from Jan. 6, you would actually think it was a normal tourist visit.” Sara Meaney stated on May 24, 2020 in a TV interview: “Since the week ending March 14, Wisconsin actually saw a drop in tourism spending compared to last year of $1.7 billion.” Jim Justice stated on October 16, 2019 in a Facebook post: Says a new annual report shows that "West Virginia’s tourism industry has grown for the second consecutive year, reversing years of decline and outpacing national growth by 58 percent." Facebook posts stated on June 28, 2019 in a post on Facebook: Six Flags is offering five free passes and unlimited free rides to everyone. Jim Justice stated on September 19, 2018 in a tweet: "WV's tourism industry grew at a rate 30% above the national rate in 2017. This increase reversed a four-year decline in which travel-generated spending fell more than $600 million." George P. Bush stated on October 16, 2017 in the "Alamo Truth" website funded by George P. Bush's political campaign: "The Alamo has been consistently listed as one of the most disappointing landmarks in our nation." Richard Corcoran stated on February 6, 2017 in a tweet: "Spending more taxpayer money on VISIT FL (or less) has not demonstrated a direct impact on tourism." Richard Pan stated on April 7, 2016 in remarks at a Capitol budget hearing: California’s Capitol building is "second only to Disneyland," among visitor sites in the state. Hilary Treadwell stated on April 6, 2016 in an interview: "Rhode Island: 3% bigger at low tide." Jay Roberts stated on March 31, 2015 in a House floor debate: About 85 percent of hotel guests who will pay the new $5 hotel/motel fee will be from outside Georgia. John Taylor stated on April 24, 2015 in an interview on WPRI-TV's "Newsmakers.": "The people of Tiverton have historically supported [gambling measures] at a rate higher than the rest of the state." Michael T. Owens stated on April 1, 2015 in a news report: A $5-a-night hotel/motel tax that’s part of the transportation bill will hurt Georgia’s convention business by adding extra costs for large groups coming to the state. SeaWorld stated on March 24, 2015 in an ad: "Whales live as long at SeaWorld" as they do in the wild. Gina Raimondo stated on February 18, 2015 in a presentation: Rhode Island has invested less in tourism, economic development and economic development personnel than four nearby states. Nan Rich stated on July 11, 2014 in a speech to the Florida Press Association: "Tourism and retirees are the dominant economic engines in our state." John DePetro stated on July 7, 2014 in a talk radio comment: "Although the governor doubled the beach fees . . . all the money, as we found out, is all going to an out-of-state company. The state isn't even getting the money for that." Nicholas Mattiello stated on April 6, 2014 in a television interview: The Pell bridge "is a tourism bridge essentially and not a commuter bridge." Mike Tate stated on April 18, 2014 in an interview: Welcome to Wisconsin road signs have "always been made in Wisconsin," but Scott Walker "is outsourcing them" to an out-of-state company and "paying more money for them." Rick Perry stated on March 7, 2014 in a speech: "If you rent a U-Haul to move your company, it costs twice as much to go from San Francisco to Austin than the other way around, because you can’t find enough trucks to flee the Golden State." Rick Scott stated on November 15, 2013 in a news release about Florida's tourism statistics: Florida "remains the top travel destination across the world." Kasim Reed stated on August 7, 2013 in a radio interview: Atlanta now has as many visitors as Las Vegas, San Diego and Los Angeles. Orlando, Fla., and New York City still have more visitors. Kathleen Ford stated on August 6, 2013 in a mayoral debate: "There is no planned air-conditioned restaurant out on the Lens." James Bennett stated on January 1, 2013 in a Gov. Lincoln Chafee YouTube video: "Our numbers are going up at the airport." Chris Christie stated on December 19, 2012 in a radio interview on New Jersey 101.5’s “Ask the Governor”: Says "our economy in New Jersey gets $38 billion from the businesses at the Shore." Zell Miller stated on December 11, 2012 in an op-ed: "[T]he Georgia Dome has returned $10 billion in economic impact to the state of Georgia." Frank Lautenberg stated on November 13, 2012 in a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate: "In 2008, tourism brought in $38 billion dollars and supported more than 300,000 jobs in the state of New Jersey." Frank Lautenberg stated on November 13, 2012 in a speech on the Senate floor: Says because of Hurricane Sandy in Atlantic City "much of that boardwalk no longer exists -- just the pillars where the boardwalk used to be." Ron Stephens stated on August 6, 2012 in an article: Georgia spends fewer tourism advertising dollars than any other state in the South. Mike Dovilla stated on April 12, 2012 in a news release: "Tourism accounts for 439,000 jobs in the state of Ohio, and visitors spend $36 billion annually."
Jim Justice stated on September 12, 2023 in a post on X: “2022 was the biggest tourism year ever in West Virginia” Andrew Clyde stated on May 12, 2021 in a House hearing: “Watching the TV footage of those who entered the Capitol. … If you didn't know the TV footage was from Jan. 6, you would actually think it was a normal tourist visit.” Sara Meaney stated on May 24, 2020 in a TV interview: “Since the week ending March 14, Wisconsin actually saw a drop in tourism spending compared to last year of $1.7 billion.” Jim Justice stated on October 16, 2019 in a Facebook post: Says a new annual report shows that "West Virginia’s tourism industry has grown for the second consecutive year, reversing years of decline and outpacing national growth by 58 percent." Facebook posts stated on June 28, 2019 in a post on Facebook: Six Flags is offering five free passes and unlimited free rides to everyone. Jim Justice stated on September 19, 2018 in a tweet: "WV's tourism industry grew at a rate 30% above the national rate in 2017. This increase reversed a four-year decline in which travel-generated spending fell more than $600 million." George P. Bush stated on October 16, 2017 in the "Alamo Truth" website funded by George P. Bush's political campaign: "The Alamo has been consistently listed as one of the most disappointing landmarks in our nation." Richard Corcoran stated on February 6, 2017 in a tweet: "Spending more taxpayer money on VISIT FL (or less) has not demonstrated a direct impact on tourism." Richard Pan stated on April 7, 2016 in remarks at a Capitol budget hearing: California’s Capitol building is "second only to Disneyland," among visitor sites in the state. Hilary Treadwell stated on April 6, 2016 in an interview: "Rhode Island: 3% bigger at low tide." Jay Roberts stated on March 31, 2015 in a House floor debate: About 85 percent of hotel guests who will pay the new $5 hotel/motel fee will be from outside Georgia. John Taylor stated on April 24, 2015 in an interview on WPRI-TV's "Newsmakers.": "The people of Tiverton have historically supported [gambling measures] at a rate higher than the rest of the state." Michael T. Owens stated on April 1, 2015 in a news report: A $5-a-night hotel/motel tax that’s part of the transportation bill will hurt Georgia’s convention business by adding extra costs for large groups coming to the state. SeaWorld stated on March 24, 2015 in an ad: "Whales live as long at SeaWorld" as they do in the wild. Gina Raimondo stated on February 18, 2015 in a presentation: Rhode Island has invested less in tourism, economic development and economic development personnel than four nearby states. Nan Rich stated on July 11, 2014 in a speech to the Florida Press Association: "Tourism and retirees are the dominant economic engines in our state." John DePetro stated on July 7, 2014 in a talk radio comment: "Although the governor doubled the beach fees . . . all the money, as we found out, is all going to an out-of-state company. The state isn't even getting the money for that." Nicholas Mattiello stated on April 6, 2014 in a television interview: The Pell bridge "is a tourism bridge essentially and not a commuter bridge." Mike Tate stated on April 18, 2014 in an interview: Welcome to Wisconsin road signs have "always been made in Wisconsin," but Scott Walker "is outsourcing them" to an out-of-state company and "paying more money for them." Rick Perry stated on March 7, 2014 in a speech: "If you rent a U-Haul to move your company, it costs twice as much to go from San Francisco to Austin than the other way around, because you can’t find enough trucks to flee the Golden State." Rick Scott stated on November 15, 2013 in a news release about Florida's tourism statistics: Florida "remains the top travel destination across the world." Kasim Reed stated on August 7, 2013 in a radio interview: Atlanta now has as many visitors as Las Vegas, San Diego and Los Angeles. Orlando, Fla., and New York City still have more visitors. Kathleen Ford stated on August 6, 2013 in a mayoral debate: "There is no planned air-conditioned restaurant out on the Lens." James Bennett stated on January 1, 2013 in a Gov. Lincoln Chafee YouTube video: "Our numbers are going up at the airport." Chris Christie stated on December 19, 2012 in a radio interview on New Jersey 101.5’s “Ask the Governor”: Says "our economy in New Jersey gets $38 billion from the businesses at the Shore." Zell Miller stated on December 11, 2012 in an op-ed: "[T]he Georgia Dome has returned $10 billion in economic impact to the state of Georgia." Frank Lautenberg stated on November 13, 2012 in a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate: "In 2008, tourism brought in $38 billion dollars and supported more than 300,000 jobs in the state of New Jersey." Frank Lautenberg stated on November 13, 2012 in a speech on the Senate floor: Says because of Hurricane Sandy in Atlantic City "much of that boardwalk no longer exists -- just the pillars where the boardwalk used to be." Ron Stephens stated on August 6, 2012 in an article: Georgia spends fewer tourism advertising dollars than any other state in the South. Mike Dovilla stated on April 12, 2012 in a news release: "Tourism accounts for 439,000 jobs in the state of Ohio, and visitors spend $36 billion annually."
Jim Justice stated on September 12, 2023 in a post on X: “2022 was the biggest tourism year ever in West Virginia”
Andrew Clyde stated on May 12, 2021 in a House hearing: “Watching the TV footage of those who entered the Capitol. … If you didn't know the TV footage was from Jan. 6, you would actually think it was a normal tourist visit.”
Sara Meaney stated on May 24, 2020 in a TV interview: “Since the week ending March 14, Wisconsin actually saw a drop in tourism spending compared to last year of $1.7 billion.”
Jim Justice stated on October 16, 2019 in a Facebook post: Says a new annual report shows that "West Virginia’s tourism industry has grown for the second consecutive year, reversing years of decline and outpacing national growth by 58 percent."
Facebook posts stated on June 28, 2019 in a post on Facebook: Six Flags is offering five free passes and unlimited free rides to everyone.
Jim Justice stated on September 19, 2018 in a tweet: "WV's tourism industry grew at a rate 30% above the national rate in 2017. This increase reversed a four-year decline in which travel-generated spending fell more than $600 million."
George P. Bush stated on October 16, 2017 in the "Alamo Truth" website funded by George P. Bush's political campaign: "The Alamo has been consistently listed as one of the most disappointing landmarks in our nation."
Richard Corcoran stated on February 6, 2017 in a tweet: "Spending more taxpayer money on VISIT FL (or less) has not demonstrated a direct impact on tourism."
Richard Pan stated on April 7, 2016 in remarks at a Capitol budget hearing: California’s Capitol building is "second only to Disneyland," among visitor sites in the state.
Jay Roberts stated on March 31, 2015 in a House floor debate: About 85 percent of hotel guests who will pay the new $5 hotel/motel fee will be from outside Georgia.
John Taylor stated on April 24, 2015 in an interview on WPRI-TV's "Newsmakers.": "The people of Tiverton have historically supported [gambling measures] at a rate higher than the rest of the state."
Michael T. Owens stated on April 1, 2015 in a news report: A $5-a-night hotel/motel tax that’s part of the transportation bill will hurt Georgia’s convention business by adding extra costs for large groups coming to the state.
SeaWorld stated on March 24, 2015 in an ad: "Whales live as long at SeaWorld" as they do in the wild.
Gina Raimondo stated on February 18, 2015 in a presentation: Rhode Island has invested less in tourism, economic development and economic development personnel than four nearby states.
Nan Rich stated on July 11, 2014 in a speech to the Florida Press Association: "Tourism and retirees are the dominant economic engines in our state."
John DePetro stated on July 7, 2014 in a talk radio comment: "Although the governor doubled the beach fees . . . all the money, as we found out, is all going to an out-of-state company. The state isn't even getting the money for that."
Nicholas Mattiello stated on April 6, 2014 in a television interview: The Pell bridge "is a tourism bridge essentially and not a commuter bridge."
Mike Tate stated on April 18, 2014 in an interview: Welcome to Wisconsin road signs have "always been made in Wisconsin," but Scott Walker "is outsourcing them" to an out-of-state company and "paying more money for them."
Rick Perry stated on March 7, 2014 in a speech: "If you rent a U-Haul to move your company, it costs twice as much to go from San Francisco to Austin than the other way around, because you can’t find enough trucks to flee the Golden State."
Rick Scott stated on November 15, 2013 in a news release about Florida's tourism statistics: Florida "remains the top travel destination across the world."
Kasim Reed stated on August 7, 2013 in a radio interview: Atlanta now has as many visitors as Las Vegas, San Diego and Los Angeles. Orlando, Fla., and New York City still have more visitors.
Kathleen Ford stated on August 6, 2013 in a mayoral debate: "There is no planned air-conditioned restaurant out on the Lens."
James Bennett stated on January 1, 2013 in a Gov. Lincoln Chafee YouTube video: "Our numbers are going up at the airport."
Chris Christie stated on December 19, 2012 in a radio interview on New Jersey 101.5’s “Ask the Governor”: Says "our economy in New Jersey gets $38 billion from the businesses at the Shore."
Zell Miller stated on December 11, 2012 in an op-ed: "[T]he Georgia Dome has returned $10 billion in economic impact to the state of Georgia."
Frank Lautenberg stated on November 13, 2012 in a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate: "In 2008, tourism brought in $38 billion dollars and supported more than 300,000 jobs in the state of New Jersey."
Frank Lautenberg stated on November 13, 2012 in a speech on the Senate floor: Says because of Hurricane Sandy in Atlantic City "much of that boardwalk no longer exists -- just the pillars where the boardwalk used to be."
Ron Stephens stated on August 6, 2012 in an article: Georgia spends fewer tourism advertising dollars than any other state in the South.
Mike Dovilla stated on April 12, 2012 in a news release: "Tourism accounts for 439,000 jobs in the state of Ohio, and visitors spend $36 billion annually."