Tourism officials encourage residents to look into local attractions

BECKLEY, W.Va. (AP) _ West Virginia tourism officials are hoping business at local attractions will be boosted by the rising gasoline prices.

The state Division of Tourism is encouraging Mountain State residents to essentially look in their own back yards for things to do instead of planning longer, more expensive trips.

The agency is also targeting residents of surrounding states.

Tourism Commissioner Betty Carver says a lot of West Virginia destinations are much closer than out-of-staters — such as those in the Washington, D.C., or Baltimore areas — often realize.