| Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners | December 16, 2015 |
|
| IN THIS ISSUE:
* 2016 N.C. Travel Guide now available * Early Bird registration now open for 2016 Visit NC 365 * Visit NC fam results in Videri Chocolate Factory among the 'best craft chocolates' |
|
2016 N.C. Travel Guide now available in print, online and mobile
The Official 2016 North Carolina Travel Guide is now available. The Travel Guide joins the centennial celebrations of the National Park Service and the North Carolina State Park System with covers showcasing a pair of pinnacle state parks. One cover features a view within Mount Mitchell State Park, as Mount Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Rockies; one cover features hang gliding on Jockey's Ridge, the East Coast's tallest natural dune, at Jockey's Ridge State Park. "The cover images frame the content of the Travel Guide perfectly," said Executive Director Wit Tuttell. "They draw you in with North Carolina's enchanting beauty and natural diversity, then invite you to immerse yourself in a place that's rich in culture and craftsmanship and that radiates a spirit of adventure." The journey continues inside the 176-page guide with features highlighting Farm-To-Fork Dining, History & Culture, Beer, Wine & Spirits, Unusual Outdoor Activities, Shopping, Motorsports and Trails. Project 543, an online collection of postcard-style features on unusual travel finds across the state, also is featured. The Official 2016 North Carolina Travel Guide will be available at the state's nine Welcome Centers; it can also be ordered via VisitNC.com or by calling 1-800-VISIT NC (800-847-4862). A digital magazine version, which can be accessed at VisitNC.com/eguide, is enhanced by information pop-ups, audio and video, a table of contents slide show, N.C. Insider tips and links to VisitNC.com. The magazine app, available for iOS and Android, uses an interactive design that accentuates exclusive photo galleries, a Blue Ridge Parkway map, tap-to-reveal details and other elements. The app can be downloaded from iTunes and Google Play. Bulk orders of the Travel Guide are available by emailing your request and delivery information to Teresa Smith at the Call Center. |
Early Bird registration now open for 2016 Visit North Carolina 365
Make plans to attend the 2016 Visit North Carolina 365 conference, March 13-15 at Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee. Registration is now open for Early Bird rates. This year's featured speakers include Peter Yesawich and Doug Lansky, plus numerous others. Get the latest news on how industry and traveler preferences have changed, what's working and how to increase your market share. Participants come from throughout the state's resorts, attractions, destination marketing organizations, lodging facilities, real estate rental companies, restaurants, and retail outlets. There's no better opportunity than Visit North Carolina 365 to network with more than 500 of the state's tourism leaders and gain new insights into North Carolina's travel industry. The conference program will include signature keynote addresses, informative educational sessions, an issues forum, a preview of Visit North Carolina's 2016-'17 strategic marketing plan and co-op opportunities, and valuable interaction with peers and media partners. Save money by registering early for Visit North Carolina 365 with a special $475/person Early Bird rate, which is valid until Jan. 1. Save more with an additional discount of $50 per person for three or more from the same organization. |
|
Visit NC fam results in Videri Chocolate Factory among the 'best craft chocolates you've never heard of'
Videri Chocolate Factory in Raleigh is among Departures.com's "The best craft chocolates you've never heard of." The inclusion was the result of the writer's visit to North Carolina as a part of the TerraVita Food & Drink Festival group familiarization press trip. This piece reached 245,810 readers and generated $2,274 in media value. Of Videri Chocolate Factory, the article said, "On Tuesdays, follow the deep, alluring smell of chocolate to Videri's Raleigh factory, open since 2011, and you'll find Sam Ratto roasting cacao beans 23 kilograms at a time. 'Roasting is where the flavor is defined,' he says. Videri's organic bean-to-bar chocolate comes in flavors like sea salt and pink peppercorn along with limited-edition seasonal flavors like strawberry-anise ganache bonbons and a fig-and-goat cheese candy bar." |
| (l-r) Rep. Charles Graham, Lumberton VB Executive Director Mickey Gregory, Bryan Gupton, Wally Wazan, and I-95 N.C. Welcome Center Manager Kat Littleturtle |
Lumberton's Gregory recognized for contributions to N.C. Welcome Centers
Mickey Gregory, executive director of the Lumberton VB since August 2008, was recently recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation from Gov. Pat McCrory for her ongoing contributions to the state's Welcome Center program. Gregory is retiring on Dec. 31. N.C. Dept. of Commerce Director of Visitor Services Bryan Gupton presented the certificate, noting that Gregory has provided much-needed equipment and support for North Carolina's Welcome Center program, especially during difficult budget years. Recognizing the value of the Welcome Centers to small communities like Lumberton, Gregory has worked tirelessly to ensure that the program has the tools it needs to serve the state's visitors. During the years, she has provided equipment and furniture. Most recently, the Lumberton TDA has provided technological support, including a Smart TV for use to promote the entire state's natural, scenic beauty and iPads for use with the program's forthcoming electronic guest registry. Rep. Charles Graham of Robeson County also thanked Gregory for her support of the I-95 South Welcome Center, commended the Welcome Center program and personally thanked the staff at I-95 South for their contributions to the state's tourism economy. Gregory was also instrumental in the creation of North Carolina's Certified Retirement Community program in which communities are recognized for providing the amenities, services and opportunities retirees need to enjoy active and productive lives. Her efforts led to Lumberton's being named the state's first Certified Retirement Community.
|
North Carolina featured in Italy travel trade publication
Visit North Carolina has partial trade and media representation in Italy through Travel South USA. This month, NASCAR is featured as the lead story going to 3230 contacts for the travel industry (tour operators, travel agencies, airlines, hotel chains) plus 1000 contacts for media (trade and consumer, printed and online). The article gives an overview on NASCAR and its history, giving exposure to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte while also listing other museums/locations dedicated to cars and speed in the South.
In 2014, North Carolina saw 15,390 visitors from Italy, up 8.4 percent. These visitors spent $7 million in the state, an increase of 10.4 percent.
|
 N.C. in the spotlight at the Rolls Royce London event
North Carolina was showcased at the recent U.K. Rolls Royce Owners Club annual event, held earlier this month at a prestigious London gallery. One of the incentives for Visit North Carolina to participate in this high profile event is that the USA Rolls Royce Owners Club meeting in 2016 will be at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville. So this was the perfect opportunity to link the U.K. and N.C. events and spotlight North Carolina. More than 700 owners participated in the event, which was hosted by key U.K. motoring journalists. Organizers created gallery-style plinths for exhibitors to display items associated with their destination or product. North Carolina chose to tell the story of NASCAR with a Mason jar of moonshine and a racing helmet. Many of the visiting enthusiasts enjoyed discussions on the heritage and culture of NASCAR. The striking picture of the Biltmore Estate also intrigued attendees who thoughts at first it was a French chateau. In 2014, the state welcomed nearly 100,000 U.K. visitors (up 15 percent compared to 2013), who spent $33.2 million. For more information on Visit North Carolina's international marketing program, contact Heidi Walters at (919) 447-7762. |
 RFPs for Visit NC international market trade, media now being accepted
Visit North Carolina is now soliciting proposals for in market travel trade and media representation in the following markets: Canada, United Kingdom and German-speaking Europe for fiscal years 2016-2019. All proposals are due by Jan. 20. The Request for Proposals can be found here.
|
| Nicholas Sparks (r) with Fandango correspondent |
On-set video spotlights filming for The Choice
Online ticket website Fandango offers an exclusive on-set "Movieclips" video of The Choice, the latest Nicholas Sparks novel to come to the big screen. Currently filming in the Wilmington region, the "Set Visit" video talks with the author and cast members about the movie, their characters and even North Carolina. Sparks said, "It's nice to film here because I get to introduce people who may have never been here to some of the beauty of the coastal region of North Carolina." Actress Alexandra Daddario noted, "Wilmington is beautiful. This cast and crew are amazing so everybody is so wonderful." |
Good Behavior pilot returns to Wilmington for first season
A TV pilot will return to the Wilmington region after getting picked up for a first season. TNT has green-lit the drama Good Behavior for nine episodes. Set in North Carolina and starring Michelle Dockery, the series is based on Blake Crouch's bestselling Letty Dobesh book series. The pilot, which was given a boost from the state's film grant fund, filmed in various locations throughout Wilmington and also in Asheville. |
The Disappointments Room, Masterminds get new release dates
Relativity Studios has announced the new release dates for two N.C.-filmed movies. The Disappointments Room will be released on March 25. The production filmed in Greensboro, Ramseur, Winston-Salem and Madison. Masterminds is scheduled for a Sept. 30 release. It filmed in Asheville, Franklin, Swannanoa and Waynesville. |
 War Roomdebuts on DVD Dec. 22
War Room will be released on DVD on Dec. 22. Filmed primarily in Cabarrus and Mecklenburg counties, the feature is the story of a seemingly perfect family who look to fix their problems with the help of Miss Clara, an older, wiser woman. The original story was written and produced by Alex and Stephen Kendrick, who also worked on the faith-based productions Courageous and Fireproof, with Alex directing. Production on War Room took place during the course of approximately 90 days last summer. |
 Holiday travelers to top 100M for first time ever; most will driveThe number of holiday travelers this year will top 100 million for the first time, AAA said Tuesday (yesterday). Most of those people will be driving - and fueling up for less than $2 a gallon. The group is expecting 100.5 million people who will travel at least 50 miles from home from Dec. 23 through Jan. 3. That number nearly triples the 38 million travelers for the Thanksgiving holiday this year and represents a 1.4 percent increase compared to last year. It is the seventh consecutive year of growth since a low of 85.7 million travelers in 2008 during the recession.
|
 American Airlines adding three destinations to CLT
American Airlines is adding three destinations to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, one of them domestic and two international. Starting Saturday, American will operate once-weekly nonstop flights to CLT from Curacao, an island in the southern Caribbean, and Puerto Plata, in the Dominican Republic. Starting April 5, American is starting daily service to CLT from Madison, Wisc. |
 CLT, RDU among favorite U.S. airports for readers
In a recent article, the BBC Magazine reported that U.S. airports are consistently outshone by their Asian rivals, pointing out offerings at some Asian airports such as ice skating rinks or orchid gardens. However, readers responded with emails to proclaim their favorite (and worst) U.S. airports, along with ways airports could be improved. Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport were both included among the favorites. Of CLT, one email said, "We have been through Charlotte a couple of times and the general atmosphere plus the lovely white rocking chairs make it a very pleasant experience. The first time we went, there was even someone 'tinkling the ivories' of a grand piano!" Of RDU, the responder wrote, "Recently remodelled and upgraded, it is a pleasure to go through or hang about in, and streamlined immigration makes the best place to enter from the UK. Very user-friendly for parking, for drop-off, or pick-up unlike most European airports or other U.S. airports." |
Surveys, Industry, Marketing & Travel Trends
TripAdvisor on experiences, rates, destinations and more in 2016 - As 2015 comes to a close, everyone in the travel industry is focused on understanding next year's trends and patterns and how best to capitalize on them. The latest TripAdvisor TripBarometer reports key trends that will shape the travel landscape in 2016. Globally, 69 percent of travelers plan to try something new. Globally, 47 percent of travelers say they have visited a destination because of the culture and people of the specific country, and one in five (21 percent) have chosen a destination purely based on a hotel's special offer or package offering. "TV tourism" is also on the rise with one in five travelers having visited a destination because they had seen it on a TV show. Globally, 63 percent of travelers said air conditioning and 46 percent said free Wi-Fi are deal-breakers when selecting accommodations. Study finds personalized service key to hotel customer loyalty - The majority of travelers are not loyal to any one hotel, and hotels need to focus on creating personalized experiences from customer data to get traveler loyalty, according to a study released last week. The study, commissioned by Sabre Hospitality, was focused on determining how hotels can increase customer loyalty. Among the study's findings were that frequent travelers are more loyal to brands, but 64 percent of leisure travelers and 52 percent of business travelers said they are not loyal to a particular brand. Using customer data and insights about customers will help hotels structure more personalized experiences around their guests, according to the study. The study also found that hotels are relying on "splintered technology systems that fragment data," making it difficult to collect the information that could help them meet guest expectations. Hotels get creative with fitness offerings for next-gen travelers - Not long ago, the average hotel fitness center amounted to a few treadmills, a couple of elliptical machines, free weights and a television tuned to ESPN. That's not good enough in 2015. With an increased appetite among consumers for fitness - and an increased urgency for hotels to differentiate themselves for a new generation of traveler - the concept of fitness on the road is in the midst of a revolution that reaches from stylish boutiques to the mega-chains. Among those in the midst of the revolution is the Marriott brand, which is building a massive new fitness center at its downtown Chicago location as a "proof of concept" before exporting the vision across the chain. The corporate push has included guests at Fairfield Inn and Suites locations across the nation getting passes to Life Time Fitness upon arrival as well as a Kind bar . On the boutique level, Kimpton's Alexis hotel in Seattle doubled the square footage of its exercise areas this summer. Created with input from a nearby CrossFit gym, the space includes a rock-climbing wall, monkey bars and hula hoops. The more traditional cardio equipment - a treadmill, an elliptical machine and a stationary bike - sits in a separate room. |
NC GreenTravel: Measuring the key to green success
One of the most important steps in assessing if a business is reaching its green goals is to establish a method to measure success. To effectively monitor which sustainable practices currently implemented are leading to reduced energy and water consumption or waste reduction, develop any number of record keeping methods. Although many monitoring systems can include complex algorithms and sophisticated software, a business can start with a simple spreadsheet that tracks monthly electricity and water usage. By using this simple method, one can see if new energy efficient measures are resulting in reduced electricity usage and really lowering bills. This record keeping can also assist in producing information that can be used in marketing materials. For more information on measuring green success, contact NC GreenTravel Initiative Manager Tom Rhodesat (919) 707-8140. |
| | For the week of Dec. 10 on North Carolina Weekend, experience "The Black Nativity" in Raleigh. Create your signature fragrance at Escentuelle in Cary. Take in "The Artist's Garden: American Impressionism and the Garden Movement, 1887-1920," an exhibition at Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem. Explore The Fork Farm & Stables in Norwood. And the "House Special" samples the fare at The Kamado Grille in Raleigh. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by Visit North Carolina. In addition, UNC-TV has made recent editions of North Carolina Weekendavailable online. | The top activities for overnight visitors to the Piedmont Region are visiting relatives, shopping, visiting friends, fine dining, visiting historic sites/churches, museums and urban sightseeing. For more North Carolina regional visitor profile information, visit the 2014 North Carolina Regional Visitor Profile, or contact Tourism Research Director Marlise Taylor at (919) 447-7748. |
|
Upcoming Industry Meetings & Events
Jan. 11 - NC Sports Association Meeting, Asheville Jan 14-15 - MPI-CC Meeting, Cary Jan. 23-24 - Ideal Living Resort & Retirement Expo, Long Island, NY Jan. 24-25 - NC Assn. of Festivals & Events Showfest, Charlotte Jan. 28-29 - NC Coast Host Annual Meeting, Wallace-Kenansville Feb. 4 - Visit NC's TRAC (Tourism Resource Assistance Center), Greenville Feb. 6 - FMST Annual Meeting, Elon Feb. 23 - NC Travel & Tourism Board Meeting, TBD |
|
|
|
|
