Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC Partners - April 25, 2024
IN THIS ISSUE: * Visit NC in Germany to promote
new Lufthansa flight to RDU
* April webinar showcases NC Civil Rights Marker program, grants
* 2024-25 Co-op Marketing Program
now open to all partners
* PR team efforts score coverage for Cataloochee Ranch, Lake Toxaway
Visit NC in Germany to promote new Lufthansa flight to RDU
Visit NC’s Heidi Walters and Wit Tuttell, along with Visit Raleigh’s Jessica Holt, were in Frankfurt and Hamburg last week to promote the new Lufthansa air service from Frankfurt to RDU. The mission included trade and media receptions in Hamburg, followed by a trade event with the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt. Each event had more than 40 tourism representatives in attendance. In addition, U.S. Consul General Norman Thatcher Scharpf hosted a reception at his residence. He spoke of many of the activities his family has had across North Carolina. Lufthansa also had a representative speak about the positive image and expectations for the state and the flight, which begins in June. For more information about Visit NC's international marketing
programs, contact Heidi Walters at (919) 447-7762.
Visit NC April webinar showcases the NC Civil Rights Marker program, grants
Visit NC’s monthly webinar for April welcomes the NC African American Heritage Commission to talk about its Civil Rights Marker program and available grants. The NCAAHC is working with communities across the state to physically mark sites critical to the Civil Rights Movement in North Carolina. Between 2021 and 2024, the commission will place 50 markers in counties across the state, highlighting and acknowledging tireless civil rights efforts that are well known and, in some cases, unsung. The May webinar will be at 10 a.m. on May 9. Click hereto register.
Visit NC 2024-25 Co-op Marketing Programs seeing strong partner response, now open to all partners
All Visit NC partners interested in learning more about Visit NC’s 2024-‘25 co-op marketing Partner Programs
are encouraged to review and download the new comprehensive brochure and sign-up sheet. The broad range of marketing opportunities introduced to attendees at Visit NC’s annual tourism conference in Greenville last month is now open to all Visit NC partners on a first come, first serve, space available basis. Opportunities include research, public relations, social, E-news, multichannel, digital, print, local market television, VisitNC.com, Travel Guide, Outdoor NC, Retire NC, visual asset production and more. Contact the Luquire team via vncpartnerprograms@luquire.com or the appropriate contact person noted in the brochure to learn more about the proven co-op marketing opportunities available for the fast-approaching fiscal year. The team will be contacting partners who have already submitted sign-up sheets to confirm commitments and initiate kickoff calls; they are also available to partners wanting to schedule a call to help address questions for any program of interest.
Visit NC PR team pitch, media visits score coverage for Cataloochee Ranch, Lake Toxaway
Cataloochee Ranch, newly reopened as a Relais & Châteaux resort after an extensive renovation, found the spotlight in a stream of coverage linked to efforts by the Visit NC PR team. From an early April media tour organized for Travel South USA Global Week, the Toronto Star featured the historic Maggie Valley property in “Fulfill all your ranch life fantasies at this beloved rustic-luxe North Carolina resort.” “The feel is cosy luxe and the frills are tasteful,” the writer reported, citing white-painted wood walls, furniture worthy of a decor magazine and well-chosen coffee-table books. “Missing on purpose: a TV, because all the entertainment one might need is outside, from the tonic of fresh mountain air to dark stargazing skies.” The publication’s reach is nearly 4.7 million unique monthly visitors.
As a result of reactive pitching, Cataloochee Ranch was featured in the Men’s Journal roundup “The Best Hotel Openings Around the Globe for Adventure Seekers.” The coverage, which noted the area’s recreation options and the connection to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, added to the outlet’s reach of 6.48 million unique monthly visitors through syndication with Yahoo.com, Newsbreak.com and 20 newspapers across the country.
North Carolina has three sites among the nominations for 10Best's Readers' Choice Awards categories for “Best of summer fun.” Online voting by readers is now open via USAToday.com; click on the hyperlink to vote. Voting ends at noon onMay 13.
Travel + Leisure has released its It List 2024, an annual guide to the most game-changing hotel openings (and reopenings) across the world. Among the "100 Best New Hotels of the Year" is The Restoration Asheville in Asheville. In addition, The Restoration Asheville was #16 among the “Best New Affordable Luxury Hotels of 2023.”
Outer Banks among ‘Best places to travel in June’
For its international list of the “15 Best Places to Travel in July,” Travel + Leisure included the Outer Banks. The segment noted, in part, “Beaches, state parks, lighthouses, museums, and historical sites provide plenty to see, and visitors can go fishing, kitesurfing, diving, boating, and hiking.”
For the week of April 25, "North Carolina Weekend” offers “Tasty Travels.” Featured segments include Seabird in Wilmington; Seoul Food Meat Company in Charlotte; The Chocolate Boutique in Raleigh; Cocoa Cinnamon in Durham; and The Hen and the Hog in Halifax. (Check local listings, as segments are subject to change.) "North Carolina Weekend" is underwritten by Visit North Carolina. In addition, PBS North Carolina has recent editions of "North Carolina Weekend" available online.
Visit North Carolina is part of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
150 Fayetteville St., Ste 1200, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601, United States