Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners
April 15, 2020
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC's Social Media Strategies webinar
*  Research shows somewhat more 
positive travel outlook
*  2021 N.C. Travel Guide ad sales start, 
new lower priced opportunities available
Visit NC's Social Media Strategies webinar

"Social Media Strategies" was the topic presented in detail during a webinar held earlier today (Wednesday), presented by Visit NC. The webinar looked at the changes in how Visit NC has shifted its social media with new emphasis on feel-good stories, utilizing #tbt for Throwback Thursdays) and spotlighting NC's Film & Literary Assets since people are bored and looking for things to view, plus this can be inspirational for the future when travel can begin again.  In addition, new marketing initiatives for VisitNC.com were unveiled, including a planned Zoom get-together with Visit NC's Dog Travel Agent, Mo, and canine friends. Virtual postcards and Instagram "stickers" are also in the works.

Recordings of past webinars - NC Tourism Amid COVID-19, Crisis Research and Communications for Tourism During COVID-19, and 2020-2021 Visit NC Co-op Program Presentation - are available here.

Visit NC plans to host a webinar each Wednesday at 10 a.m. for the next few weeks, with the next webinar being April 22. Topics and registration information will be posted as available on Partners.VisitNC - COVID-19 and Visit NC 365.
Research shows somewhat more positive travel outlook

The value of frequent research into the attitudes and sentiment of travel during a pandemic such as COVID-19 is evident as results from the most recent surveys are released. There appears to be somewhat of a more positive outlook in terms of certain travel topics.
 
From last week (15 percent) to this week (30 percent), the percent of American travelers who feel the situation will get better in the next month nearly doubled according to Destination Analysts recent report. However, it will not be a simple return to pre-pandemic travel behaviors warns the research company. Nearly 40 percent of travelers say they will change the types of destinations they choose to visit when they do begin traveling again, up from one week ago. And while the majority of respondents say the miss travel, nearly 90 percent say they will approach travel cautiously, saying they will avoid crowds, destinations hardest hit by the virus and those slow to put social distancing measures in place.

The Destination Analysts results this week also cautioned that many travelers will replace a vacation this year with a "staycation." The proportion of these travelers has grown each week throughout this situation. Those who will be traveling are pushing those trips later in the summer and into the fall.
 
Longwoods International's most recent research also confirms that travel will change post-COVID. Many travelers indicate that they will change their destination to one they can drive to rather than fly and change from an international destination to a domestic destination. Positive news is that the proportion of travelers with travel plans in the next six months grew 5 percentage points from last week to this week.


Non-travel specific research performed by The Harris Poll suggests that there will be waiting times after the COVID-19 curve flattens before Americans participate in certain activities. When asked about specific activities, 43 percent say they will dine out within 30 days and 66 percent say they will dine out within three months. With regards to staying in a hotel, 21 percent said they would within 30 days, 41 percent within three months and 60 percent within 6 months. Airlines didn't reach the majority tipping points until four to six months after the curve flattens.
 
Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink each week with links to available studies.
2021 N.C. Travel Guide ad sales start, new lower priced opportunities available

Ad sales have started for the 2021 Official North Carolina Travel Guide, Visit North Carolina's fulfillment piece for visitors to and within the state. The N.C. Travel Guideis available at the state's nine Welcome Centers, Visitor Centers, via the 1-800-VISIT NC Call Center and VisitNC.com, and are also distributed at targeted travel-related shows
 
New This Year
*     We're excited to be able to allocate an additional 25 pages to inspiration-based editorial. This allows us to naturally weave even more stays, eats and arts & culture-focused destinations into the reader's editorial experience.
*     With the above paging, we've successfully integrated all 100 counties into our planned editorial.
*     We're able to offer 10 percent off our regular rate for 1/3 and 1/6 ad units. This will help smaller advertisers with participation.
*     We're introducing a new formatted ad section "Places to Explore" to offer to smaller destinations and CVBs which will be handled similarly to the "Places to Stay" offering.
*     We will be maintaining our state and local information pages for easy reference.
 
Engaged Readers
The readers are active vacationers - 63 percent planning to take a three or more trips this year. They are inspired by the guide - 95 percent of readers saying it inspired them to take or plan a trip to North Carolina. And 75 percent save the guide to reference later.
 
Opportunities start at $500. Advertising sales are available at an early bird discounted rate untilJuly 31. View the 2021 N.C. Travel Guide Media Kit here. For more information, contact Regional Sales Director Stacey Rosseter at (678) 571-7445.
Honor #SpiritOfTravel during National Travel & Tourism Week

Join a variety of tourism entities in honoring the #SpiritOfTravel May 3-9 for National Travel & Tourism Week. The coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency is having an unprecedented impact on the travel industry and the entire economy. Now more than ever, the travel and tourism community must come together, support each other and remind our country that even through the most difficult times, the Spirit of Travel cannot be broken. 
 
The U.S. Travel Association offers a toolkit, with resources such as ways to salute travel, suggestions for a successful Travel Rally Day, and samples for a proclamation, press release, social media guide, talking points, and blog post.
NEA awarding funds, grants as part of CARES Act

The National Endowment for the Arts has announced today guidelines to swiftly distribute funding to nonprofit arts organizations from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to preserve jobs and help support organizations forced to close operations due to the spread of COVID-19. With the $75 million appropriated to the NEA through the CARES Act, the Arts Endowment will award 40 percent of the funds directly to state and regional arts agencies by April 30 to distribute through their funding programs. Sixty percent of the funds are designated for direct grants to nonprofit arts organizations all across the United States and will be announced by June 30. Organizations that have received NEA awards in the past four years are eligible to apply for a direct grant. The deadline to apply is April 22. For more information, click here.
Deadline for October-November-December Top 20 Events nominations extended to May 15

The deadline for nominating events for Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 events for October-November-December has been extended to May 15. Nominated events must have an attendance of at least 1,000 and be in the third year of existence. Nominations for STS' Top 20 Events can now be submitted electronically via an online form. Top 20 Events strongly encourages entrants to support their nomination by providing supporting material such as photos, posters, brochures, press releases, news clippings and/or volunteer programs. There is a $30 entry fee per event nomination; events do not have to be a member of STS to participate.
For the week of April 16 on "North Carolina Weekend," the program repeats the episode that originally aired Feb. 20. Features include River & Twine Tiny House Hotel and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount; Bolick & Traditions Pottery in Lenoir; and Botanist and Barrel Cidery in Cedar Grove; plus the "House Special" at Ken's Grill in La Grange. (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.
NewsLink is a publication of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
150 Fayetteville St., Suite 1200, Raleigh, NC  27601