An economic analysis of southwestern Virginia cities and counties found that Galax had the highest increase in travel expenditures from 2004 to 2012, at 71.4%. The report found that "Galax, a city once dominated by industry, has become a blossoming tourism destination thanks to downtown revitalization efforts, its traditional music and arts scene (Old Fiddlers Convention, Chestnut School of the Arts), and its proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the New River."Jack Morgan, Southwestern Virginia: Authentic, Distinctive, Alive: SWVA Economic Analysis Report (n.d.), p. 5.
aN econoMIc aNalysis Of souThwestern VIrgIniA citieS and counties fouNd That gALax had ThE HighesT IncrEasE in traVeL ExpeNdituRes FroM 2004 TO 2012, at 71.4%. thE REpORt foUnD That "galax, A citY oNcE doMinAted by industrY, has bECome a blOSSoMING ToUrisM destINaTion tHanks to doWntown REvitalIzatIon eFforts, Its tRaDiTiOnAl musiC aNd arts scenE (olD fidDleRs cOnvenTion, chesTNUt SCHool Of the ArtS), and ITs prOXimIty to thE bluE riDgE paRkWay and the NeW river."jack mOrGAn, southwesTErn virgiNia: AUtHeNTiC, disTiNctiVe, alive: sWva econOMIc aNalySis REPOrt (N.d.), p. 5.