Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC Partners - December 5, 2024
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC December webinar next week: ‘Travel Trends & Innovation: Insights for 2025 and Beyond’
* ‘Podcast: Brown Mountain Lights’ gets added exposure
* Visit NC PR team-supported trips bring coverage for Boone, Asheville and Wilmington
Visit NC December webinar next week: ‘Travel Trends & Innovation: Insights for 2025 and Beyond with Expedia’
Visit NC’s December webinar next week will especially be of interest to DMOs and lodging – both hotel and short-term rental – partners. Join Kristi Pruitt of Expedia as she unveils key insights from their Unpack ’25
report, exploring demand trends for hotels and vacation rentals in 2025. Discover how Expedia’s versatile offerings, powered by its innovative loyalty program OneKey, bring greater value across their three core brands. She'll also share how technology and partnerships have driven responsible travel recovery, including initiatives that have and will continue to support Western North Carolina post-Hurricane Helene. Don’t miss this chance to gain actionable insights for DMOs and lodging partners alike. The webinar will be at 10 a.m. on Dec. 12. Click here
to register.
Visit NC and Atlas Obscura ‘Podcast: Brown Mountain Lights’ gets added exposure on The Broadside
Atlas Obscura's Brown Mountain Lights podcast episode was recently picked up by the NC public radio station WUNC and ran in the feed of their podcast The Broadside. This episode was originally produced last April by
Atlas Obscura in partnership and paid for by Visit North Carolina, as part of the Visit NC custom content brand program. This pickup by WUNC provides additional exposure to the Pisgah National Forest of Burke and Caldwell counties where the unique - and a bit surreal - Brown Mountain Lights occur. This hits on a trend of fact and fantasy to drive year-round visitation to this part of the state. Visit NC worked with Atlas Obscura Podcast to add a layer of appeal and intrigue to an area of the mountain region that is beautiful, serene and lesser known.
The AO Podcast, hosted by Dylan Thuras, co-founder of Atlas Obscura, is the #1 Travel podcast with 22 million total podcast listens; 86 percent of listeners have taken action on the AO podcast's ads. Promotional posts of the podcast episode, including email inclusion, will further reach the AO audience.
Visit NC PR team-supported trips bring coverage for Boone, Asheville and Wilmington
The weekend edition of The Times celebrated Boone and Asheville in the feature “The small old-world American mountain town I return to every year." The headline referred to Boone, which the writer discovered a decade ago on a musical journey and fell in love with its vibe and immersive landscapes. The article highlighted High Country favorites and new experiences before heading south to Asheville, where she connected with that city’s culture. The writer, who visited in May, made note of Hurricane Helene while reflecting the destinations’ “travelers are welcome” message. Visit NC helped coordinate the visit with hospitality from Explore Boone and Explore Asheville. The London-based outlet reaches nearly 9.5 million unique monthly visitors.
In other coverage tied to the Visit NC PR team’s efforts,Thrillist.com featured Wilmington in “The Most Overlooked Town on the East Coast Is Worth a Weekend Getaway
.” “Wilmington’s vibe is casual – it doesn’t take itself so seriously – but it also happens to be a great place to inadvertently run into one of your favorite celebrities when they’re in town filming next year’s blockbuster hit,” the article noted. Beyond the appeal of film locations, the writer covered beach time, dining, dog bars and lodging. Wilmington and Beaches CVB provided hospitality and other assistance. Thriillist.com attracts more than 2.2 million unique monthly visitors.
Gaster during an
interview
Dark Horse Stages unveils new stages to boost North Carolina’s film industry
Last month, Dark Horse Stages officially opened two new sound stages, adding more than 40,000 square feet of state-of-the-art production space to Wilmington’s vibrant film scene. This significant expansion enhances the infrastructure supporting North Carolina’s film industry, already renowned as a traditional and reliable stalwart in the film space, with experienced production crews as well as stunning and diverse landscapes.
“The expansion of Dark Horse Stages brings tremendous value to North Carolina’s film industry by enhancing our capacity to meet the diverse needs of today’s productions,” said NC Film Office Director Guy Gaster. “The continued evolution of this outstanding facility elevates North Carolina’s appeal as a premier film destination to both major studios and independent filmmakers alike, providing a modern and attractive entertainment hub that will foster creativity, efficiency and true collaboration for years to come.”
In addition, Dee Snider, formerly with the rock band Twisted Sister, made a special appearance, revealing plans to bring his Defiant Artists production company to North Carolina.
18 counties will change tier rankings in 2025
The NC Department of Commerce has released the county tier designations for 2025. The designations, which are mandated by state law, determine a variety of state funding opportunities to assist in economic development. The rankings are based on an assessment of each county’s unemployment rate, median household income, population growth, and assessed property value per capita. The law calls for 40 counties to be designated as Tier 1, 40 counties to be designated as Tier 2, and 20 counties to be designated Tier 3.
For 2025, 18 counties will change tier designations. Counties moving to a less distressed tier include Cherokee, Chowan, Duplin, Gates, Granville, Haywood, Jones, Onslow, and Pasquotank. Counties moving to a more distressed tier include Alexander, Caldwell, Camden, Cleveland, Davie, McDowell, Montgomery, Randolph, and Surry.
Vote for NC sites among ‘Best openings of the year’
North Carolina has several sites among the nominations for 10Best's Readers' Choice Awards categories for “Best openings of the year.” Online voting by readers is now open via USAToday.com; click on the hyperlink to vote. Voting ends at noon onDec. 23.
Avelo Airlines announced yesterday (Wednesday) it is expanding the airline’s commitment to North Carolina with the addition of two new bases of operation at Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (USA) and Wilmington International Airport (ILM). Avelo also announced it will start five new routes to ILM and USA, and its first two international routes to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).
Starting April 3, ILM will see twice-weekly flights from Boston, Mass./Manchester, NH (MHT) and Nashville, Tenn. (BNA); starting April 4, twice-weekly service from Rochester, NY (ROC).
Starting April 3, USA will see twice-weekly service from Daytona Beach, Fla. (DAB) and, starting April 4, twice-weekly service from Nashville, Tenn. (BNA).
In addition, beginning Feb. 12, RDU will have a twice-weekly flight from Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) and, starting Feb. 22, twice-weekly service from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ).
Christmas tree from Avery County graces the White House
This year’s official White House Christmas Tree was presented last week to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden in Washington, DC by the Cartner family. This honor is the result of Cartners Christmas Tree Farm in Newland being named the 2024 Grand Champion Grower in the National Christmas Tree Association’s annual contest. The Blue Room showcases the 18-½ foot Fraser fir.
This is the 16th time North Carolina has supplied a tree for the White House’s Blue Room. As reported by the NC Christmas Tree Association,
North Carolina has 940 growers producing approximately 53 million trees on more than 33,000 acres. Growers harvest more than 3 million trees annually. The NC Fraser fir Christmas tree is one of the most popular Christmas trees in North America and is shipped to every state in the US as well as to the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, Japan and other points all over the world. The NC Christmas Tree industry is ranked second in the nation in the number of trees harvested and cash receipts.
Sylva, Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights highlighted in holiday articles
In its “Experience A Hallmark Holiday Throughout Small Town U.S.A.,” Forbes included Sylva. Of the inclusion, the article noted, in part, “Sylva, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, transforms each year into a magical winter wonderland with scenic mountainside landscapes illuminated by dazzling Christmas lights and festive downtown shopping....[Its] iconic Courthouse... even has mini Christmas trees throughout the lawn to kick the festivities up a notch.”
Another article by Forbes, “7 Spectacular Christmas Light Displays That Offer Holiday Magic” included Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights in Clemmons. In part, the article explained, “Close to 1.5 million lights are used throughout the entire show illuminating 150 total displays throughout the five mile show route… The Bell Land features 15-20 bell displays along with matching music.About 55,000 cars come through on an annual basis with an estimated 250,000 visitors.”
Marketing & Travel Trends
‘Design And Travel Shifts That Will Define 2025’ – Forbes looked ahead in its “Design And Travel Shifts That Will Define 2025." The article explained, "The design and travel industries are intertwined in many ways. For example, design can create lasting memories for hotel guests by engaging the senses and evoking emotions, thus directly influencing customer loyalty and decision-making. First impressions are vitally important for guests, and often set the tone for the entire stay. As such, an inviting design is paramount. In addition, design can influence how consumers understand and perceive brands across physical and digital touchpoints.” It noted such trends as Travel Decisions Driven by Stories of a Place, Authentic Storytelling in Hospitality Design, and Luxury Travel is Conscious & Responsible.
Detour Destinations, Skillcations gaining popularity – The Huffington Post highlighted two travel trends in recent articles. "'Detour Destinations' Are Going To Be Wildly Popular In 2025” explained, “Detour destinations don’t necessarily encourage travelers to skip popular tourist attractions. Instead, the trend emphasizes balance – spending less time on your trip in oversaturated cities and more time exploring under-the-radar areas nearby.” For its “What's A 'Skillcation'? Here's Why This Type Of Travel Is Gaining Popularity,” Huffington Post quoted one source who said, “Skillcations are vacations centered around learning, reflecting a revolution in soft and vocational skills development. Travelers immerse themselves in experiences like ‘knitting your way around Iceland,’ combining leisure with hands-on learning. This trend satisfies a desire for personal growth and cultural engagement, making trips more enriching than traditional sightseeing.”
December brings the Annual Christmas Issue
For its December edition, Our State magazine brings its Annual Christmas Issue, which includes a photo essay about “Towns That Twinkle.” “Farm Tour” visits Colfax Creek Farm in Bostic; ‘Quirky Detour” stops by the Statue of Liberty in Wilmington; and “Festival” celebrates Wright Brothers Day in Kill Devil Hills. The December issue is available now.
For the week of Dec. 5, "North Carolina Weekend” offers “Art and Artists.” Featured segments include John Geci Glass in Bakersville; Peel Gallery and Photo Lab in Carrboro; Gallery C in Raleigh; Hearth Glass and Gallery in Burnsville; and Night Owl Iron Works & Leathercraft in Rutherfordton. (Check local listings, as 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.
Visit North Carolina is part of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
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