| Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners | August 28, 2019 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC launches search for the First Dog Travel Agent
* Visit NC PR efforts lead to Crystal Coast in the spotlight * PR work results in U.K. newspaper highlighting Outer Banks, Raleigh, New Bern
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Visit NC launches search for the First Dog Travel Agent
Visit North Carolina is searching for North Carolina's First Dog Travel Agent to help tell the world about the state's woof-worthy destinations. The campaign, which is an extension of Firsts That Last, aims to drive travel to North Carolina among dogs and their humans who live in drive and target markets. The campaign will go beyond dog-friendly to inspire endless firsts for dogs and their humans to experience together. The search for the First Dog Travel Agent, which went live on Monday - National Dog Day - continues with applications being accepted until Sept. 15. Once the Dog Travel Agent has been appointed and begins to inspire travel from a dog's perspective, Visit NC plans to engage consumers with - Trip idea content on DogTravelAgent.com.
- A North Carolina dog travel Facebook group, for humans and their dogs to share their travel pics and tips.
- E-blast content for dog owners.
- Signed social posts from the Dog Travel Agent on @VisitNC.
- Additional social media engagement.
- Public Relations earned media push.
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Visit NC PR efforts lead to Crystal Coast in the spotlight
Efforts by Visit NC's PR team have led to the Forbes.com article "They Ditched Their Jobs To Live In Their Dream Destination," which profiles a couple who moved to Beaufort after working many years - and in many towns and states - in the hospitality industry. After the couple moved to Beaufort, a place they immediately realized they wanted to live when they first saw it, they eventually took over Hungry Town Tours, which today offers biking, walking, history and culinary tours. In addition, the writer highlighted several attractions, activities and restaurants in other parts of the Crystal Coast. The article was the result of Visit NC hosting the writer at the NYC media mission resulting in a connection with partners including the Crystal Coast; it's the second article from this writer's visit to N.C. Forbes.com has a unique monthly readership of more than 30 million. |
PR work results in U.K. newspaper highlighting Outer Banks, Raleigh, New Bern
Visit NC's PR team worked with writer Brian Hancill with the U.K.-based Daily Express coordinating the itinerary for his trip to N.C. The result is "Carolina's high life is Wright on: The top and tail of two cities." The writer highlighted the history of the Outer Banks - ranging from the story of the Lost Colony to the Wright Brothers, the lighthouses to the wild horses - with additional stops at sites in Corolla, Duck, Kill Devil Hills and Manteo. The writer also visited Raleigh and New Bern during his time in North Carolina which was highlighted in the "tail of two cities" section. |
Vote for N.C. cities, towns among Southern Living's South's Best awards
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Vote for Durham Distillery as Best Craft Gin Distillery
Vote for the Durham Distillery in Durham as the Best Craft Gin Distillery among the nominees for the 10Best's Readers' Choice Awards for America's Best Craft Spirit. Online voting by readers is now open via USAToday.com's website; click on the hyperlink to vote. Voting ends Sept. 23 at noon. |
Southern Living editors select The South's Top 50 Barbecue Joints 2019, with 8 in N.C.
The editors of Southern Living has selected their picks for "The South's Top 50 Barbecue Joints 2019" and many in N.C. are among the notables. (Note: this is the editors' picks, so not to be confused with the South's Best Awards mentioned above.) The online slideshow counted down the top 50 picks, recognizing Lexington Bar-B-Q Center in Lexington at #34; Buxton Hall Barbecue in Asheville #25; Sam Jones Barbecue in Winterville #24; Red Bridge Barbecue Lodge in Shelby #23; Lexington Barbecue in Lexington #16; Stamey's in Greensboro #14; Grady's in Dudley #13; and Skylight Inn in Ayden #4. |
'Moments in Nature' features shore birds at Pea Island NWR
This past Sunday's CBS Sunday Morning featured shore birds at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge in its "Moments in Nature" segment. View the extended segment is online. |
September issue looks at N.C's. 'beloved barns'
The September issue of Our State magazine looks at the "enduring legacy of NC's beloved barns." "Downtown" visits Edenton; and "Farm Tour" highlights Coon Rock Farm in Hillsborough and Piedmont in Durham. The September issue is available now. |
The importance of staff involvement for going green
So a hotel, attraction or other business has made the decision to go green - that's great! The next step is getting the managers and staff members to continuously follow through. First, ensure staff members are properly educated on green measures such as closing blinds/drapes, reporting drafty windows to maintenance, and turning off lights when rooms are not in use. Create an interactive environment by listing goals that have been met and having monthly focus topics on a designated bulletin board. A great way to get staff members excited and involved is to form a green committee so they can contribute their ideas and improvements. Incentives such as gift cards, a free vacation day and other small tokens can be used to drum up support and competition for who can create the largest cost-savings. Do not underestimate the power of setting the example by making sure the management staff are modeling the new practices. Not only can going green increase company morale, but it can help keep cash in a business' pockets too. Engaging Employees in Going Green offers additional suggestions for employee engagement for becoming more sustainable. For more information about employee green training and the NC GreenTravel Initiative, contact program manager Tom Rhodes at (919) 707-8140. And don't forget to submit an application for a free NC GreenTravel recognition for any type of tourism destination. |
| | For the week of Aug. 29 on "North Carolina Weekend," discover how to spend an "oversized" weekend in Greensboro. And the "House Special" samples the fare at Print Works Bistro in Greensboro. (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. | In 2018, the average household trip expenditure by visitors to North Carolina was $564. The average trip expenditure for overnight visitors was $721. Daytrip parties to the state spent approximately $203 per visit. For more North Carolina visitor information, visit Visitor Profile Studies, or contact Visit NC's Marlise Taylor at (919) 447-7748. |
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Upcoming Industry Meetings & Events
Sept. 9-10 - Blue Ridge Parkway Assn. Fall Meeting, Floyd, Va. Sept. 11-12 - NCTIA Tourism Leadership Conference, Concord Sept. 19-22 - NCMA (with VMA-MCASC) Regional Meeting, Winston-Salem Nov. 6-8 - World Travel Market, London, U.K. Nov. 6-8 -AARC Annual Conference, Chattanooga, Tenn. Nov. 7-8 - AENC Fall Conference, Cary Nov. 19 - Visit NC Travel & Tourism Board Meeting, Cary |
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