Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners, February 16, 2022 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit 365 Xpress sessions highlight changed visitor patterns, un-consented data * Visit NC PR efforts lead to Wilmington among 'Best Places to Travel in April' * N.C. has strong presence at STS Domestic Showcase |
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Visit 365 Xpress sessions highlight changed visitor patterns, un-consented data During one of the Xpress sessions at theVisit NC 365 Conferencenext month in Durham, Cree Lawson, founder and CEO of Arrivalist, will discuss “North Carolina’s Road Trip Renaissance,” sharing how visitor patterns have changed during the pandemic and where new opportunities exist. He’ll also explain a new statewide initiative to place EV charging stations across the state to assist electric car drivers in planning their green road trip through your destination. |
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Zeek Coleman, head of Marketing - Tourism & Hospitality at Adara, will examine “The Imminent Demise of Un-consented Data - How Apple & Google's Changes Will Impact You!” In his session. Coleman will address how un-consented data has become a major asset in destination marketing. He’ll also discuss upcoming changes that will fundamentally change the accuracy and availability of travel data and provide tactics to help you future proof yourself against them. This year’s Visit NC 365 Conference is in Durham, March 20-22. Don’t forget toregister for the conference. The registration of $499/person includes attendance to the conference; keynote and breakout sessions from industry leaders, motivational speakers and educational opportunities; plus networking with exhibitors. Returning this year is the NCTIA Tourism Education Foundation's Silent Auction, with proceeds going to support scholarships for students in the hospitality or tourism industry. Hotel reservations need to be made separately from the conference via specially designated room blocks at several area hotels. Click here for hotel reservation information.
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Visit NC PR efforts lead to Wilmington among 'Best Places to Travel in April' Travel + Leisure included Wilmington in its "Best Places to Stay in April." The inclusion was the result of the Visit NC PR team's efforts, specifically touting the milestone anniversary of the N.C. Azalea Festival. Of the inclusion, the article noted, in part, "Located on the southeastern coast of North Carolina, Wilmington boasts a historic downtown, modern Riverwalk, and several stunning gardens bursting with spring color in April. The 75th annual North Carolina Azalea Festival is scheduled for April 6-10, with youth writing and art contests, chefs' showcase, 5K run, parades, and entertainment... Tour the Battleship North Carolina, visit the Cape Fear Museum, or shop for antiques on Castle Street." |
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N.C. has strong presence at STS Domestic Showcase Visit NC’s Amanda Baker and Suzanne Brown led a group of N.C. partners during the STS Domestic Showcase tradeshow this week in Virginia Beach, Va. Domestic Showcase is the premier marketplace event in the Southeast, where more than 600 tourism professionals gathered for two days of intensive meetings with goals of delivering more visitors, who will spend more time and more money in the Southeast region. This regional appointment-style marketplace offered the most targeted opportunity for group tour operators, tour wholesalers, group tour leaders and media representatives to meet face-to-face with suppliers from the Southeast region. The North Carolina delegation included Alamance County VB, Biltmore, Billy Graham Library, Cleveland County Tourism, Crystal Coast TDA, Explore Asheville, Hilton Garden Inn Kitty Hawk, Jackson County TDA, Mooresville CVB, Outer Banks VB, and Visit Winston-Salem. |
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North Carolina promoted at Long Island expo Visit NC's André Nabors, along with partners from Edenton and Laurinburg, promoted North Carolina as a retirement destination at the Ideal-Living Resort & Retirement Expo in Long Island, N.Y., this past weekend. The Expo drew more than 900 potential retirees from the region who were interested in exploring opportunities and conversing with exhibitors from across the Southeast. Attendees talked with experts from towns and community developers to gain insights and get answers to help plan, design and enjoy their retirement. North Carolina has consistently been one of the most requested states by the attendees. Visit North Carolina attended the Expo to continue its efforts to promote the N.C. Certified Retirement Community Program, which consists of Carteret County, Edenton, Elizabeth City, Jamestown/High Point, Johnston County, Laurinburg, Lenoir, Lumberton, Marion, Mount Airy, New Bern, Reidsville, Roanoke Rapids, Salisbury, Tarboro, Washington, and Winterville. For more information about the Certified Retirement Community Program or Visit North Carolina's marketing initiatives for retirement relocation, contact Andre Nabors at (919) 447-7771. |
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Beaufort unveils latest N.C. Civil War Trails marker
An unveiling ceremony was held last week in Beaufort for the newest N.C. Civil War Trails marker, which features Union Town, a refugee camp established in 1862 by African Americans who fled enslavement to Union-occupied Beaufort. The Civil War Trails program - now in five states (N.C., Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) – has more than 1,000 Civil War markers installed. North Carolina has 220 Civil War Trail markers in 77 counties. For more information regarding the Civil War Trails program, the N.C. Civil War Tourism Councilor other Civil War-related inquiries, contact Tourism Development Manager Andre Nabors at (919) 733-7502. |
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Visit NC's Baker among U.S. Travel's Emerging Travel Leaders Visit NC’s Amanda Baker is among U.S. Travel Association’s Emerging Travel Leaders, in its inaugural program. The Emerging Leaders Program creates opportunities to expand the exposure, knowledge and capabilities of rising leaders to develop, inspire and achieve within the industry and beyond. Open to Chairman's Circle members, of which Visit North Carolina is one, the ideal candidate is recognized within their organization for his or her talent and leadership traits and is preparing for the next step in his or her career. They should represent a diverse background and perspective, with a focus on varying disciplines and/or job functions. |
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Research shows Americans’ excitement to travel at highest level since pandemic began
There has been rapid improvement in travel sentiment during the last two weeks, reports Destination Analysts. Americans’ excitement to travel during the next 12 months is the highest that it has been in the entire pandemic, with nearly 85 percent of Americans in a ready-to-travel mindset. |
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While personal health concerns are still high, they are declining and expectations about the severity of the pandemic during the next month improved 10 points during the last two weeks. Confidence in the ability to travel safely and the perception of the safety of travel activities are nearing record highs. |
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With travel sentiment improving, the outlook for spring travel is positive. Americans’ excitement to take a previously unconsidered trip is at record levels, hitting the peak it hit last July. More than 20 percent of American travelers report that they have travel plans for April and May, and those with July trip plans is strong with more than 30 percent of Americans reporting. Among those with travel plans for spring break, less than half have selected a specific destination, giving travel marketers opportunity to convert those travelers who are still deciding. Top spring break destinations likely to visit are cities/metro areas, beach destinations and small towns/rural areas. |
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Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. |
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Miles Partnership now accepting scholarship applications for attending STS Marketing College Miles Partnership has opened the application period for its annual scholarship program to the STS Marketing College. Miles will award scholarships for the 2022 session, selecting a tourism industry professional in each of the 14 STS member regions, including one for North Carolina. Marketing College is a continuing education program that is offered annually as a one-week intensive session in June in Georgia. Click here for more information, including submitting the application. The deadline for applications is March 18, at 5 p.m. |
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‘North Carolina Weekend’ For the week of Feb. 17, "North Carolina Weekend” spotlights “A Musical Weekend.” Segments include the V&E Simonetti Historic Tuba Collection in Durham; Mayberry's Music Center and gospel singer James Easter in Mount Airy; the N.C. Music Hall of Fame in Kannapolis; and Ricardo Diquez and the Tropic Orchestra in Raleigh. (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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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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