Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners, December 8, 2021 |
|
| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC PR efforts lead to Nellie’s Southern Kitchen in Chicago spotlight * N.C. delegation attends Travel South International Showcase * Visit NC’s Walters recognized as State Tourism Ambassador of the Year |
|
Visit NC PR efforts lead to Nellie’s Southern Kitchen in Chicago spotlight Due to the efforts of Visit NC’s PR team, Nellie’s Southern Kitchen in Belmont was included in the Chicago Tribune’s “7 must-visit restaurants for superb Southern cuisine.” The PR team had pitched Nellie’s in response to the writer’s query. Of Nellie’s, the article noted, “Before there were the Jonas Brothers, there was Nellie Jonas, the namesake for the restaurant founded by her grandson – and father to the famous Kevin, Nick and Joe – Kevin Jonas Sr. The restaurant is an homage to Nellie’s love of delicious food, warm Southern hospitality and great music. Live music plays most nights in the elegantly revamped pre-World War II building, which also features a rooftop terrace. Standout dishes include chicken swimming in broth with house-made dumplings; a platter of pecan-smoked pulled pork with four-cheese mac; and a burger topped with melted pimento.” ChicagoTribune.com garners more than 5.2 million unique monthly visitors. |
|
North Carolina delegation attends Travel South International Showcase
Visit NC's Wit Tuttell, Heidi Walters and Amanda Baker attended the 9th annual Travel South International Showcase, in New Orleans, La., last week. Visit NC, along with partners from the Piedmont and Mountain regions, met with international tour operators and media to increase interest in international visitation to North Carolina. Partners included Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Explore Asheville CVB, Greater Raleigh CVB and Nantahala Outdoor Center. The North Carolina delegation was among 200 suppliers at this year's tradeshow, which featured more than 120 international tour operators interested in selling the southern U.S. to international visitors. These international tour operators came from 17 countries considered to be key and emerging markets for the southern U.S. With the borders open and more international flights coming back to N.C., it’s critical to have the state in front of the trade and media for the upcoming 2022 booking season. More than 920,535 overseas visitors came to North Carolina in 2019. International visitors spend more and stay longer than domestic visitors. For more information on the Visit North Carolina's international marketing program, contact Heidi Walters at (919) 447-7762. |
|
Visit NC’s Walters recognized as State Tourism Ambassador of the Year
Visit NC’s Heidi Walters was recognized during Travel South International’s event last week as Travel South USA’s State Tourism Ambassador of the Year. Travel South notes of the award, “The Travel South USA Ambassador Award is recognition for outstanding efforts and prominent contributions to the overall tourism economy of the South. Ambassadors embody the Travel South USA brand by positively influencing and promoting the region, supporting a state tourism organization and engaging in the southern travel industry.” |
|
Visit High Point first Certified Autism Center on East Coast Last week, Visit NC’s André Nabors gave remarks during a press conference at Q’s Corner in High Point. Visit High Point announced to being a Certified Autism Center (CAC), a designation granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to organizations that have completed training and certification to better understand and assist visitors who are autistic or have other sensory needs. Visit High Point is the first Destination Marketing Organization in North Carolina to achieve this designation and is also the only DMO on the East Coast to have the designation. The Visit High Point team and board completing the CAC program is the first step in its initiative to make High Point the next Certified Autism Destination, which means visitors have multiple trained and certified options to choose from when visiting the area, including entertainment, recreation and hotel options. Visit High Point has partnered with IBCCES to involve key tourism, hospitality and recreation organizations in the community, such as the City of High Point, to complete autism training and certification to earn the community designation to attract new visitors to the area and better serve residents. |
|
The N.C. Christmas Tree Association and the N.C. Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services have provided Christmas trees for each of the state's nine Welcome Centers. All nine of the Welcome Centers are decorated with each sporting a different, beautiful look. The Welcome Centers continue to follow the measures to promote safety and implement the Executive Orders in place. Visitors are welcome to take any brochure that they’d like from a wide selection that covers North Carolina and any of its 100 counties, and or they can pick up a specific package for a destination or one that features a special preference from a region’s area attractions. The holiday decorations are especially appreciated this year by visitors. Travelers are commenting how the decorations are helping make the holiday season seem closer to normal for them during the pandemic. For more information on the N.C. Welcome Centers, contact Visitor Services Program ManagerWally Wazanat (919) 814-4649. |
|
Research shows American travelers increasing belief in ‘return to normal’ for resuming leisure activities Nearly one-third of American travelers believe that the U.S. is more than halfway back to normal in terms of resuming leisure activities, according to Destination Analysts. By generation, millennials or younger travelers are more likely to believe that things are closer to being back to normal than other generation. Travelers in the South and Northeast are also more likely to think normalcy has returned. |
|
While feelings of normalcy have grown, travelers still place heavy importance on the continuation of COVID-19 safety protocols. Nearly three-fourths of travelers say it is either important or very important. |
|
Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. |
|
Becoming RentABLE seeking accessible short-term rental properties for website Becoming RentABLE is seeking accessible short-term rental properties for its website. To have an accessible property means that there are no barriers to entry for anyone - an elderly relative, a family member with a physical disability or a friend who has been temporarily disabled. Becoming rentABLE, a new start-up based in Raleigh with representatives in other states, is creating awareness and positive change for travel accessibility in short-term rental properties. To better do this, it’s launched a new website and so is seeking short-term vacation rentals properties to be listed on it. The group's accessibility filter criteria included features essential to those with mobility issues, as well as vision, hearing, intellectual or developmental disabilities, and those on the autism spectrum. While not a booking platform, the website helps identify vacation rental properties which are accessible, then links the user to those listings on their respective booking platforms. the website is free to end users and property owners. To find out more, contact Lorraine Woodward at (919) 426-4312. |
|
Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights the N.C. selection for the ‘Best Christmas Light Displays in Every State’ Travel + Leisure selected Tanglewood Park’s Festival of Lights as the North Carolina selection for its “Best Christmas Light Displays in Every State.” Of the selection, the online slideshow noted, “The Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights is extremely popular, and with good reason. The beautiful North Carolina countryside park is filled with over a million lights, which visitors can explore by car, tractor-pulled hayride, or horse-drawn carriage. While you're in the area for the festival between mid-November and January 1, stop by Wake Forest University to see the stunning traditional Moravian star lit above Wait Chapel.” |
|
‘North Carolina Weekend’
For the week of Dec. 9, "North Carolina Weekend" repeats the episode that originally aired Oct. 14, which highlighted “Autumn Adventures.” Segments feature the Charles Kuralt Trail, basing the story in Manteo; Armstrong Artisan Farm in Walnut Cove; Summerfield Farms in Summerfield; the Chicken Mull Festival in Bear Grass; Lake Chatuge in Hayesville; and Sylvan Heights Bird Park in Scotland Neck. (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. |
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
