Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners, April 27, 2022 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC launches Dream Big in Small Towns * Visit NC leading media fam to Transylvania, Watauga, Yancey counties * Media mission brings N.C. to Nashville |
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Visit NC launches Dream Big in Small Town NC Yesterday (Tuesday), Visit North Carolina launched Dream Big in Small Town NC, an initiative to boost economic recovery by attracting travelers and potential workforce to small towns in 16 counties facing economic hardships and population loss. The goal of the campaign is to showcase the natural beauty and small-town charm of these more rural communities and encourage visitors to consider relocating to them after a fully-immersive visit. Partners in the multi-channel program include Airbnb and Flip.to. The campaign offers sweepstakes promotions giving visitors stays in these counties and encouraging them to share their experiences on social media. Created by the N.C. General Assembly as the Rural Tourism Recovery Pilot Program, Dream Big will capitalize on travelers’ interest in exploring small towns by drawing attention to the people, places and businesses in three distinct regions designated as the Scenic Mountains, the Northeast Lakes and Rivers, and the Inner Banks. Visit NC is coordinating the program with the N.C. Department of Commerce and other private and public entities involved in growing the state’s “First in Talent” workforce development plan. This program was initiated by the N.C. General Assembly as the Rural Tourism Recovery Pilot Program. It is intended to be funded with federal ARPA relief funds. Unfortunately, the funding has not been completed yet. However, Visit NC felt that it needed to get the campaign started to capitalize on the spring booking window for visitors to the mountain region. Advertising support for the program will be added as soon as funding is received. |
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To generate excitement for the campaign, Visit NC held a satellite media tour in Haywood County, one of the counties included in the program. Visit NC’s Wit Tuttell had more than 25 live interviews with national, regional and in-state media. Following an exclusive story in The Charlotte Observer yesterday, Visit NC issued a press release to encourage even more earned media. |
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Visit NC leading media fam to Transylvania, Watauga, Yancey counties Visit NC’s Margo Metzger is leading a media familiarization tour to Transylvania, Watauga, and Yancey counties this week. The tour, coined “Inner Peace and Outer Space,” is focusing on wellness, nature and "astrotourism" assets in the mountain region of the state. Four top journalists are attending. representing national outlets such as Ebony, Marie Claire, Prevention, Women's Day, Women's Health, and Vogue. For more information about Visit NC’s public relations program, contact media@visitnc.com. |
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Visit NC media mission brings N.C. to Nashville Last week, Visit North Carolina led a media mission in Nashville, Tenn. Visit NC's Veda Gilbert, J/PR representatives Kristen Kelleher and Chelsey Kirby, Thomas Salley of Wilkesboro TDA, Deborah Stone of Brunswick Islands TDA, Lauren Hawk of Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, and Karen Tessier of Transylvania County TDA met with local journalists, editors and publishers. The media mission allowed the opportunity to promote the state and those regions within a different market. It also offered the chance to connect with various area media to potentially create lasting relationships. For more information about Visit NC’s public relations program, contact media@visitnc.com. |
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English joins Visit NC as tourism data specialist Ashton English has joined the Visit NC team as tourism data specialist. Her work will focus on managing Visit NC's Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, as well as assisting with a number of tourism research projects, from visitor profile to dashboard development and other projects. English will work closely with Visit NC's Marlise Taylor. An Asheville native, English is a recent graduate of N.C. State University's Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management program, where she was an undergraduate research assistant and worked on a number of tourism research projects. She may be contacted at (919) 818-9474 or via ashton.english@visitnc.com. |
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Southeastern travel counselors meet in Concord More than 50 Welcome Center directors, managers and travel counselors from the Southeast Travel Counselors Alliance met in Concord last week. The annual meeting serves to keep an open line of communication between the states' Welcome Centers to facilitate smooth operations during emergencies and promote cooperation and information sharing when possible. N.C. Department of Commerce Visitor Services Program Manager Wally Wazan led the three-day conference, which included representatives from North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina, and Virginia; new this year were representatives from Arkansas and Maine. In addition, local/regional visitors centers for Visit Charlotte, Visit Cabarrus, Heart of N.C. VB, Dismal Swamp WC and Piedmont Triad VC participated. One of the many sessions included N.C. Welcome Center managers presenting on “How to Capitalize on Available Resources." The keynote speaker was Commerce's Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Betty Marrow-Taylor. Sponsored by the Cabarrus County CVB, the group also enjoyed a Kannapolis Cannon Ballers baseball game during its meeting. |
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Haliburton will oversee Call Center Nakomis Haliburton has joined the N.C. Department of Commerce Visitor Services program as the inquiry program supervisor. She will be onsite to oversee Call Center operations. Haliburton will also direct the fulfillment of bulk orders for the North Carolina Travel Guide and N.C. Transportation Map. She may be contacted at (919) 715-5900 or via nakomis.haliburton@commerce.nc.gov. |
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Research shows nearly half of American travelers polled are more interested in traveling now than pre-pandemic Recent research from Destination Analysts probed Americans on how they view themselves post-pandemic in terms of travel and travel preferences. Nearly half of travelers say that their desire to travel is stronger now than it was pre-pandemic. Only 17 percent say they are less motivated to travel. |
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Compared to pre-pandemic, more than 40 percent of travelers say their interest in visiting outdoor destinations has increased. Similarly, travelers say that they avoid visiting touristy or overdeveloped destinations. Half of travelers also note that they prefer active activities for their vacations. |
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Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. |
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The Umstead Hotel in Cary is among 5-Star Hotels. Herons at The Umstead Hotel is recognized among 5-Star Restaurants. In addition, The Umstead Spa is among 5-Star Spas.
Among 4-Star Hotels are Fearrington House Inn in Pittsboro, Inn on Biltmore Estate in Asheville and Old Edwards Inn in Highlands. The 4-Star Restaurants include the Dining Room at Inn on Biltmore Estate and Fearrington House Restaurant.
Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Hotels include The Ballantyne in Charlotte, The Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte and Washington Duke Inn in Durham. Recommended Restaurants include BLT Steak at The Ritz-Carlton, Fairview Dining Room at Washington Duke Inn, Gallery at The Ballantyne, and Madison's Restaurant and Wine Garden at Old Edwards Inn. |
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North Carolina has several sites and activities among the nominations for 10Best's Readers' Choice Awards categories for the “Best of summer.” Online voting by readers is now open via USAToday.com; click on the hyperlink to vote. Voting ends May 23 at noon. |
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Civil War Trails updates three markers in Thomasville Civil War Trails, Inc. teamed up with the Thomasville Tourism to release three new Civil War Trails signs in downtown Thomasville. This project was completed in partnership with he Thomasville Tourism Commission, who worked on improving their CWT sites as part of refreshing their historic downtown. These newly updated signs are part of the overall content and infrastructure improvements Civil War Trails is making in North Carolina. The work is made possible by sponsors – Thomasville Tourism, in this instance – which support product updates, maintenance and collaborative marketing efforts.
These sites are networked with more than 200 others in North Carolina and more than 1,400 across six states. The Civil War Trails program encourages visitors to stand in the footsteps of history, exploring each unique landscape and story through the eyes of those who were there. To find out more, contact Civil War Trails Executive Director Drew Gruber. |
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May brings the ‘Burger Issue’ For its May edition, Our State magazine features its “Burger Issue." “Local’s Guide” visits Bryson City; “Restaurant” highlights Mothers & Sons Trattoria in Durham; and “Bakery” features Velvet Creations Custom Cakes in Wadesboro. The May issue is available now. |
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‘North Carolina Weekend’ For the week of April 28, "North Carolina Weekend” “Reaches New Heights.” Featured segments include the Western North Carolina Air Museum in Hendersonville; Cherry Treesort in China Grove; IBX Balloon Flights in Bath; Triangle Rock Club, basing the segment in Raleigh; and hang gliding at Jockey’s Ridge in Kitty Hawk. (Check local listings for schedule; 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. |
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Upcoming Industry Meetings & Events May 24 – NC Travel & Tourism Board meeting, TBD June 4-8 – IPW, Orlando, Fla. June 27-29 – AFCI Week, Beverly Hills, Calif. |
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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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NewsLink is a publication of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina 150 Fayetteville St., Suite 1200, Raleigh, NC 27601 |
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