René Thornton, Jr. from Staunton Graces the Pages
of the New Virginia Travel Guide

-Thornton is one of the “Portraits of Passion” found in 2009 state travel guide-

The Virginia Tourism Corporation announced that René Thornton, Jr., an actor from the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia is one of the “Portraits of Passion” starring in the 2009 Virginia Travel Guide.  The new state travel guide celebrates the 40th anniversary of Virginia is for Lovers and is available free to travelers looking to live passionately on vacation in Virginia by visiting www.Virginia.org or calling 1-800-VISITVA. 

Thornton is one of a select number of the Portraits of Passion featured in the new guide, complete with 250 pages of personal stories and travel tips from real Virginians from the Eastern Shore to the Crooked Road whose overwhelming passion for life makes travel rewarding in Virginia.  The Virginia Tourism Corporation distributes 600,000 guides to potential travelers each year.

"We are really excited that René's portrait and story have been included in the 2009 Virginia Travel Guide, it not only showcases Staunton's leadership in the tourism industry in the Shenandoah Valley, but it also highlights the arts in Virginia," declares Sheryl Wagner, Director of Tourism for the Staunton Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The Portraits of Passion from across the commonwealth are found in stunning photography throughout the 2009 travel guide and in rich, video vignettes at www.Virginia.org/portraits.  

New additions to the travel guide include a section about Virginia Green, the state’s new program that certifies hotels, inns, restaurants, attractions and destinations that take important steps to improve and respect the environment.  The guide also includes green travel tips and green getaways, all found at VirginiaGreenTravel.org.

Other highlights in the guide include articles on Virginia's four hundred years of history with an emphasis on the Civil War and heritage trails. Ecothusiasts and adrenaline junkies will love the Get Outside and Play feature. Virginia motorsports experiences will get fans' hearts racing while an overview of Virginia movie locations will surprise film buffs with tidbits about major motion pictures filmed in Virginia.  The guide also captures the Virginia wine travel experience with info and trip ideas around the state’s nearly 140 wineries.

Tourism is an $18.7 billion industry in Virginia, supporting 210,000 jobs and generating $1.2 billion in state and local taxes for Virginia’s communities.
To request a free copy of the 2009 Virginia is for Lovers - Live Passionately travel guide, call 1-800-VISITVA or go to www.Virginia.org, where an electronic version is also available. 

Note to media:
Launched in 1969, Virginia is for Lovers is the official state tourism slogan.  2009 marks its 40-year reign as one of the most recognizable and enduring tourism marketing initiatives in the country.  For more information about the 40th anniversary of Virginia is for Lovers, including a video news release, story ideas and more on the "Portraits of Passion" visit www.vatravelstories.com.

Downloadable images of the four travel guide covers are available on Virginia's online image library at www.vatravelstories.com.