Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners | October 7, 2020 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC's next webinar is Oct. 21
* Tuttell speaking at NCEDA Regional Networking Luncheons
* Research shows pent-up demand for travel growing
* Readers' Choice Awards recognize several in N.C.
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Visit NC's next webinar is Oct. 21
Visit NC's next webinar will be Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. More details, including registering, will be in next week's NewsLink.
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Tuttell speaking at NCEDA Regional Networking Luncheons  | | | (lf-rt) NCEDA VP and Duke Energy's John Nelms, Allison and Tuttell |
Visit NC's Wit Tuttell and the EPDNC's Amy Allison are speaking at the NC Economic Development Association's (NCEDA) regional networking luncheons. Tuttell and Allison are presenting important industry updates on tourism and outdoor recreation in North Carolina. The luncheons are limited to 25 and are following all COVID protocols. Other dates for the regional networking luncheons are Oct. 8 (tomorrow) in Greensboro, Oct. 13 in Charlotte, and Oct. 14 in Asheville. For more information, contact Liz Dobbins-Smith at NCEDA. |
Research shows pent-up demand for travel growing While sentiment about the pandemic improving in the next several months continues to be pessimistic, pent-up demand for travel continue to grow. According to a recent Harris Poll, Americans are looking for a "get-away" and when asked the reason, they say it is because they need to escape (53 percent), it would feel like a mini-vacation (52 percent), they need a change of scenery (44 percent), they need to satisfy an itch to travel (38 percent), they miss flying (28 percent), to offset cabin fever (22 percent) and to create a sense of normalcy (21 percent).
Americans' comfort in exploring their own communities is the highest is has been since mid-March and the perception of the safety of travel activities continues to improve as well. Travelers in the South appear to have a slightly more open state-of-mind to travel than U.S. travelers in general, and appear to be slightly more optimistic for fall travel than Americans in general. One third of Americans expect to travel at some point this fall, while 38 percent of travelers in the South expect to travel. Looking ahead to the holiday travel season, travelers from the South appear to be more likely than U.S. travelers in general to travel, according to Destination Analysts. |
For those Americans who are not yet ready to travel, an effective vaccine is at the top of the list of what must happen to allow for travel for both those in the South and Americans in general.
Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. |
Readers' Choice Awards recognize several in N.C. Condé Nast Traveler has announced its 2020 Readers' Choice Awards and several sites in N.C. were recognized. The Foundry Hotel in Asheville was ranked #30 and The Ivey's Hotel in Charlotte #31 among the Best Hotels in the World. Of the Top 20 Hotels in the South, The Foundry was ranked #2, The Ivey's #3 and Grand Bohemian Hotel in Asheville #9. Among the Top 20 Resorts in the South, Greystone Inn at Lake Toxaway ranked #6, The Swag in Waynesville #14 and the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville #19. |
'Shadow of the Bear' takes to the skies In its October issue, Hemispheres magazine included the "Shadow of the Bear" in its "Navigator" section's "Bear Sighting." The two-page photo in United Airlines' in-flight magazine explained Shadow of the Bear is "a natural phenomenon known as the Shadow of the Bear, which occurs just outside the town of Cashiers, when the sun begins to set behind the jagged cliffs of the 4,930-foot Whiteside Mountain. The ursine-looking shadow is a treat that's almost as rare as the sight of a real bear in the woods: It's visible for about half an hour, starting around 5:30 p.m., on sunny evenings from mid-October to early November." View the photo/information here (pages 21-22). |
For the week of Oct. 8, "North Carolina Weekend" features include Krankies Coffee in Winston-Salem; the Roanoke River Paddle Trail near Weldon; Seagrove Orchids in Seagrove; and Benne on Eagle restaurant in Asheville. (Check local listings; segments are subject to change.) "North Carolina Weekend" is underwritten by Visit North Carolina. In addition, UNC-TV has recent editions of "North Carolina Weekend" available online. |
Resources for travel industry regarding COVID-19
As the travel industry is facing challenging times in the ever-changing situation of COVID-19 and its effects, there are several useful resources available to help with information, communications, planning and guidance. |
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