Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners
April 22, 2020
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC's webinar wrap-up
* Visit NC PR team's efforts lead to 
N.C. wineries, vineyards in the spotlight
*  Research shows interest in travel
 starting to increase
Visit NC's N.C. Legislative Update webinar wrap-up

The N.C. Legislative Update was the topic presented in detail during a webinar held earlier today (Wednesday), presented by Visit NC. Based on one of the most popular sessions held during the annual Visit NC 365 Conference, this year it was especially important to offer such information for the tourism industry. The webinar started with Visit NC's Wit Tuttell offering an update on recent research and proposed legislation that Visit NC hopes will help Visit NC aggressively market - and help partners market - travel to and within the state when people are able to safely travel again.
 
Panelists included Brian Lewis with NC Travel Industry Association, Lynn Minges with NC Restaurant & Lodging Association, and Kara Weishaar with NC Travel & Tourism Coalition. The panel offered various overviews and then answered questions submitted by webinar participants, ranging from sanitization practices at tourism-related properties to liability to occupancy taxes. 

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

Visit NC plans to host another webinar next Wednesday, April 29, at 10 a.m. The topic and registration information will be posted as available on Partners.VisitNC - COVID-19 and VisitNC365.com.
Visit NC PR team's efforts lead to N.C. wineries, vineyards in the spotlight

Visit NC PR efforts have led to North Carolina's vineyards and wineries being included in "A Brave New World of North American Wine" in the Michelin Guide. The PR team worked with the writer on this piece, which highlights top North American wine regions on an expanding landscape. The article noted, "North Carolina has three wine growing regions - coastal, mountain, and the Piedmont plateau - featuring 185 wineries, more than 525 vineyards, and six AVAs. Drive (or cycle) one of North Carolina's wine trails to taste what's being grown. In the coastal region, muscadine grapes, native to North Carolina, are used for sweet wines. Vineyards in the mountainous and Piedmont regions of the state grow viognier, chardonnay, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and merlot. Try wines from Laurel Gray Vineyards in Swan Creek. The vineyard started in 2001, and across 15 acres now grow pinot gris, cabernets franc and sauvignon, chardonnay, and merlot." Michelin Guide online reaches more than 442,000 unique monthly visits.
Research shows interest in travel starting to increase

This week in pandemic research reveals that American travelers continue to be more optimistic that the worst of COVID-19 is within sight, but sentiment still remains low that all will be resolved by the summer travel season. Excitement towards travel and learning about destinations, while remaining low, were at a 5-week high, reports Destination Analysts this week. Travelers' interest in learning about new travel experiences moved from 37 percent of respondents last week to nearly 45 percent this week. Nearly a quarter of respondents to this week's survey indicated that taking a trip would be among the top 5 activities they would do when the crisis is over.
 
What are the first things you are going to do when shelter-in-place restrictions are lifted? (Select as many as five.)
Research done by a variety of organizations confirms that things will be different post-pandemic. The most recent Harris Poll notes that while the majority (74 percent) of Americans miss dining at a restaurant, 62 percent want restaurants set up for social distancing and more than half noted that they want capacity limits at restaurants to ensure 6 feet between guests. Nearly half of the respondents indicated that they are in favor of temperature tests for restaurant staff.

In terms of economic impact of the pandemic on the travel industry, the US Travel Association and Tourism Economic have revised their projections on the impacts. This pandemic is now estimated to have more than 9 times the impact of 9/11 on the travel economy. There is estimated to be a $1.2 trillion total economic loss, with an approximate $519 billion loss in direct travel spending. There are estimated to be 8 million total jobs lost, with about 6.9 million of them direct travel jobs. The travel industry losses alone will be great enough to push the U.S. economy into a recession.

Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink each week with links to available studies.
'How Will Covid-19 Affect Future Travel Behavior? A Travel Crisis Expert Explains'

For its "How Will Covid-19 Affect Future Travel Behavior? A Travel Crisis Expert Explains," The New York Times interviewed Lori Pennington-Gray, director of the Tourism Crisis Management Initiative at the University of Florida, about travel anxiety in 2020. Since 2007, the Tourism Crisis Management has studied many disasters that have threatened the travel industry, from hurricanes to the Zika virus. Beginning in January, prompted by the coronavirus-related threat in China, it began a periodic survey of Americans who travel on their perceptions of risk and anxiety related to Covid-19, and the impact of those perceptions on future travel decisions. "We haven't seen a global crisis that's impacted every country globally and every facet of the tourism industry," said Pennington-Gray. In addition to looking at some of the survey's demographics, such as responses based on income and age, Pennington-Gray noted, "We also are seeing that there will be some pent-up demand and that people will be ready to travel. There's some indication that travel will be closer to home initially and that people will do more driving tourism."
 
Pennington-Gray was one of the presenters during Visit NC's webinar "Crisis Research and Communications for Tourism During COVID-19."
'Under One Roof' concerts showcase N.C. artists, benefit nonprofit arts organizations

"Under One Roof," a livestream benefit concert for North Carolina artists, will broadcast live on Twitch and Facebook 8-9 p.m. this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Viewers will be encouraged to donate to the N.C. Arts Foundation, which will send all proceeds raised from the shows to nonprofit arts organizations in the state that have established relief funds for artists in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. North Carolina artists joining "Under One Roof" include Anthony Hamilton, 9th Wonder, Ben Folds, The Hamiltones, Jim Lauderdale, Tift Merritt, Steep Canyon Rangers, Chatham County Line, Joe Troop of Che Apalache, Petey Pablo, Fantasia and others. "Under One Roof" is presented by Come Hear North Carolina and CLTure.
Information sought from short-term rental owners, hosts and managers regarding COVID-19 impact

Rent Responsibly and Vacation Rental Managers Association have put together a national survey for short-term rental owners, hosts and managers regarding the impact of Covid-19 on the short-term rental industry. The five-minute survey is meant to help understand the recent impacts of Covid-19 on the short-term and vacation rental industry and how stakeholders are responding. Answers will remain confidential and used only to aggregate. The survey is only open until April 28; results are expected to be released in mid-May. To take the survey, click here.
Washington will host Cycle NC's 2021 Coastal Ride

Washington will host Cycle NC's 2021 Coastal Ride next April. This year's event, originally slated for Oriental, was cancelled due to the coronavirus. Last year's Coastal Ride in Edenton , brought 1,750 cyclists from 36 different states, Washington, D.C., and Canada.
 
Visit North Carolina is a founding sponsor of Cycle NC's Coastal Ride in the spring, the Mountain Ride in August - this year in Forest City- and one of the founding sponsors of the Mountains to Coast ride in the fall. The rides are designed to promote North Carolina's scenic beauty while providing substantial economic impact to small towns across the state. Cycle NC offers one of the largest cross-state bicycle tours in the United States.
2020 Merlefest cancelled but the show can go on (sorta)

Garden & Gun.com's "Talk of the South" last week included "A Special Merlefest." The article section noted, "Southern music fans breathed a collective sigh of disappointment when MerleFest - the annual roots-music-and-more gathering in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, founded by the late, great Doc Watson - announced its cancellation this year in the wake of coronavirus. But fans do have something to look forward to. Beginning on April 23 and running through the weekend, MerleFest will broadcast performances from its 2012 event, the festival's 25th anniversary and the final time Watson graced its stage. Other artists in the lineup include Vince Gill, Sam Bush, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Alison Krauss & Union Station, and more. Stream the performances for free at the MerleFest website."
 
The day before the MerleFest cancellation was announced, Garden & Gun got an insider view of MerleFest from the Visit NC PR team and participants at Visit NC's March mini-media mission in Charleston.
Carolina Publishing Associates sells publications to Carolina by Choice

The annual Carolina Heritage Guide, quarterly Carolina Field Trips magazine for teachers and Carolina Playbook, a magazine for youth and collegiate sporting events and facilities, have been acquired by Carolina by Choice, a Huntersville-based digital marketing agency and directory publisher. The publications, along with related websites, were created by Carolina Publishing Associates in Matthews. Carolina By Choice is a new venture for Dave Wolding, who said the new company will continue serving the state's tourism industry and will add online advertising services from Localbychoice.
For the week of April 23 on "North Carolina Weekend," the program repeats the episode that originally aired Feb. 27. Features include southern beaches in winter, including Sunset Beach; Reeves Theater & Cafe in Elkin; The Pour House Music Hall in Raleigh; and Lorraine's Coffee House & Music in Garner. (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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