Tourism Marketing and Public Relations
Harrisonburg Tourism and Visitor Services
located in the Hardesty-Higgins House circa 1848
212 South Main Street
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801
Visitor Services 540-432-8935
Brenda Black, Tourism and Visitor Services Manager
540-432-8940
Brenda.Black@harrisonburgva.gov
Emily DeBenedetto, Tourism Marketing Specialist
540-432-8935 x 2404
Emily.DeBenedetto@harrisonburgva.gov
Media tourism@harrisonburgva.gov
Newsletter and Visitor Guide requests tourism.info@harrisonburgva.gov
The mission of HTVS is to position Harrisonburg as a premier travel destination by promoting and developing creative tourism marketing initiatives that stimulate economic growth in the City. HTVS partners with local businesses, media, travel writers, group tour operators, meeting and event planners, film scouts, and regional and state tourism partners to increase tourism in our region.
Our local partners include Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce, Rockingham County Economic Development and Tourism and the Arts Council of the Valley. Regional organizations include the Shenandoah Valley Travel Association, Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation, and DMO offices throughout the Valley. State affiliations include Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association, Virginia Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus, and Virginia Tourism Corporation. Multi State marketing and public relations include the Virginia/Maryland Civil War Trails, The American Bus Association, and the Mid Atlantic Tourism and Public Relations Alliance.
Specific goals include:
- To build a distinct presence in the tourism marketplace by establishing a recognizable and easily marketable "brand” for Harrisonburg.
- To continually develop new tourism products to promote the City of Harrisonburg.
- To increase awareness of tourism marketing opportunities to our local businesses.
- To enhance the visitors experience through continued research of our rich history and heritage.
- To market and develop sports, history, culinary, agricultural and educational group travel opportunities.