WVU Extension Service
Surveying resident and visitor attitudes towards tourism, assets and identity
Doug Arbogast, Rural Tourism Specialist, WVU Extension Service
Dr. Jinyang Deng, Assistant Professor of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Resources
Daniel Eades, Rural Economics Specialist, WVU Extension Service
These WVU faculty members conducted quantitative and qualitative participatory research
to help the TCCDA in planning and decision-making. The data were gathered through
several means in order to solicit input from a broad spectrum of stakeholders including
the following:
Community meetings key informant interviews were conducted across the county
to get qualitative information, quotes and stories about the assets and their
importance and to hear enriching stories about the area.
- Key informant interviews
- Resident attitudes survey
- Visitor
preferences survey
- Community profile & economic impact analysis (current and development options)
The full reports can be downloaded below.
- Tucker County Resident Survey Report (PDF)
- Parsons-St. George Resident Survey Report (PDF)
- Thomas Resident Survey Report (PDF)
- Canaan Valley Resident Survey Report (PDF)
- Davis Resident Survey Report (PDF)
- Dryfork Resident Survey Report (PDF)
- Hambleton-Hendricks Resident Survey Report (PDF)
- Red Creek Resident Survey Report (PDF)
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Tucker County Visitor Survey Report (PDF)
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Tucker County Key Informant Cultural Tourism Interviews Report (PDF)
- Tucker County Business Survey and Economic Impact Report (PDF)
Resident survey extended answers (PDF downloads):
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Are there any places in Tucker County where you do not want tourists
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How can tourism benefit you
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How do you define the culture of Tucker County
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How would you define cultural tourism
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If you moved to Tucker County from somewhere else why did you move
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Opportunities for Tourism
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Please list any groups or associations in Tucker County that you volunteered
with
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The most attractive features of your community include
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The most unattractive features
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What Does Tourism Mean to You
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What values do you feel are important in your community
- Additional Comments
The interviews with over 30 people included the following organizations and businesses:
Artspring, Canaan Realty,
Whitegrass Ski Touring Center, Tucker County Commission, Tucker Community Foundation,
Tucker County Cultural District Authority, The Purple Fiddle, Blackwater Falls
State Park, Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Ben's Old Loom Barn, Tucker
County Cultural District Authority, Tucker County Convention and Visitors Bureau,
Tucker County Planning Commission & Friends of the Blackwater, Tucker County
Convention and Visitors Bureau, Heart of the Highlands, Bright Morning Inn, Hellbender Burritos,
Stumptown Ales, Verglas Media, Big Belly Deli, Creature Gallery and the Whiteroom
Gallery, Buxton and Landstreet Gallery and Studios, The Cooper House and The
Billy Motel, Three Castle Antiques, New Historic Thomas, Davis Renaissance, Friends
of the 500th, Timberline Four Seasons Resort, Town of Thomas, Canaan Valley State
Park, Canaan Valley Resort