Part of the important fabric of our city is our lodging community, which provides a safe, friendly home away from home for visitors to our beautiful city. These establishments are the city’s front door for these visitors and provide reliable careers and income to residents. They infuse the local economy with revenue, to the tune of $2.8 million in 2019, and promote visitation to area attractions, restaurants and shops to tourists. To these local businesses, we say thank you!
History of Hospitality and Growth
Lynchburg has been welcoming newcomers since its inception in 1786, when John Lynch petitioned the General Assembly of Virginia for a charter to establish a town on the bluffs above the James River where he ran his ferry service. Today, Lynchburg welcomes thousands every year for meetings and conferences, sporting events, college graduations, reunions, leisure travel and family visits. These travelers look to their accommodations’ staff to point them to places of interest and fun things to do while they are here.
Over the last ten years, Lynchburg has seen tremendous growth brought on by business relocation and expansion, college students staying after graduation, and folks moving here for retirement. This growth has spurred the need to add more accommodation outlets, thus sparking the successful redevelopment of Downtown Lynchburg and other critical areas of the city. The Lower Bluffwalk project, completed in 2010, and its anchor the Craddock Terry Hotel spurred the revitalization of the south end of Downtown making way for the rehab project of The Virginian Hotel, completed in 2018, on the north end. With these projects came restaurants and other tourism based businesses adding the Lynchburg economy. Additionally, there has been an increase of lodging development in the Wards Road area of the city adding to a total city room count of 2,200 plus. These projects were the result of the foresight of a few, planning by many, and capital from investors, all working together to bring jobs, revenue and a bright future for Lynchburg’s community.
An Acknowledgement
To all of our lodging partners, we say a resounding THANK YOU! You provide essential needs for Lynchburg visitors, guide them to where they need to be, tell them all about what Lynchburg has to offer and make sure they get a good night’s rest, a hearty breakfast and plenty of coffee!
We know that the COVID-19 crisis has been challenging for lodging owners and staff, but rest assured we are working to help you fill those rooms and get travelers back to Lynchburg. We appreciate all you do to help make Lynchburg the best small city in America!