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Vision Tours, the new Franklin-based charter bus transportation company, received a $5,000 grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program. 

Vision Tours also noted in a news release that it is launching its Catch the Vision campaign.

“Vision Tours is finding ways to make the history of the state attractive and accessible for both Virginians and tourists,” company officials stated in the release.

In partnership with education organizations and school districts, Vision Tours is promoting its educational tours to groups interested in learning the rich history of the state. As a follow-up to Black History Month and leading into Women’s History Month, Vision Tours is marketing tours of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina. The tours are perfect opportunities for youth groups, schools and recreation organizations to make “historical moves.” 

Vision Tours partnered with other local businesses to supply matching funds for the project to reach individuals and groups that value curated new social spaces. 

“We are so excited to offer charter bus services to people who want to travel, but want companions to enjoy the experience,” said Eric Majette, co-owner of Vision Tours. 

Virginia Tourism Corporation awarded more than $757,000 to 131 marketing programs, ultimately impacting 655 combined partners and supporting more than 1,300 jobs across the state to help increase off-season visitation to tourism businesses and destinations. 

Vision Tours has partnered with community-focused organizations committed to education and  economic development. 

Dr. Frazier White of Youth for the City in Washington, D.C., shared, “We are excited about the recently announced HBCU and Museum Tours. We hope to expose young people to options and networks beyond their local neighborhood, and Vision Tours has made that possible.”  

“The Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program is part of VTC’s strategy to grow year-round  visitation in Virginia and is designed to support small tourism businesses with marketing dollars  to drive out-of-state visitation during off-peak travel seasons,” said Rita McClenny, president and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. “We are excited about this program because we see it as a gateway for small businesses to engage with VTC’s marketing and development ecosystem to grow their business and build on the Virginia is for Lovers branding.”  

The VTC Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program is designed to increase visitor spending in the off-season by leveraging limited marketing dollars, stimulating new tourism marketing through partnerships, and extending the “Virginia is for Lovers” brand. This is a program focused on supporting tourism businesses with less than 20 full-time employees through marketing partnerships. A minimum of five Virginia entities must partner to apply for the microbusiness marketing grant. Partners may consist of Virginia cities, towns, counties, convention and visitors’ bureaus, chambers of commerce, other local or regional destination marketing organizations, private businesses, museums, attractions, cultural events, and other tourism-related businesses. 

Vision Tours partnered with colleges, the NAACP, churches and other groups to qualify for the grant. The majority of the grant funds are being used to increase social media marketing and build capacity for Vision Tours to share its charter bus services. 

“Vision Tours is excited about providing luxury charter bus services as part of the Virginia is for Lovers travel brand,” company officials stated. 

ABOUT VIRGINIA TOURISM CORPORATION 

Virginia is for Lovers is one of the most iconic and recognizable travel brands in the world. Using that powerful brand equity, Virginia Tourism Corporation is charged with promoting the commonwealth as a premier travel destination by showcasing all there is to love in a Virginia vacation. The dollars spent by travelers fuel the economy, provide jobs for Virginians and improve communities across the state. Simply put, tourism helps make Virginia a great place to live, work and vacation. Learn more at virginia.org.