Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners - January 11, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC’s 2023-’24 Partner Programs will debut at Visit NC Tourism Conference
* Visit NC’s webinar tomorrow features ‘All Things Travel Guide’
* North Carolina promoted at Long Island expo
Visit NC’s 2023-’24 Partner Programs will debut at Visit NC Tourism Conference
Visit NC and its marketing agency, Luquire, are excited to unveil the cooperative marketing, PR and research opportunities planned for 2023-‘24 at this year’s Visit North Carolina Tourism Conference
. The wide range of options will be the focus of the Visit NC Co-Op Marketing Presentation session slated for Monday, March 6 from 3-4:30 p.m. Only registered attendees of the conference will have the opportunity to learn about the new available programs, new multi-channel packages as well as tiered discount opportunities, all aimed to help extend marketing dollars in collaboration with Visit NC. Following the session, attendees will have the chance to sign up for their selections by visiting Luquire’s exhibitor table and meeting withZach Houston, Luquire’s new manager in charge of partner programs. Houston will be available to discuss placing orders or to answer additional questions regarding any of the program elements.
The Visit NC Tourism Conference will be at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, March 6-8. Click here to register. The conference program as well as registration, lodging and sponsorship opportunities can be found here.
As a reminder, the room block at the Omni Grove Park Inn closes on Feb. 8. Conference attendees are encouraged to make their reservations before that deadline. Any hotel reservation made there after that date will be subject to availability and existing rates.
Visit NC’s webinar tomorrow features ‘All Things Travel Guide’
For its monthly webinar tomorrow (Thursday), Visit NC and its partners from Dotdash Meredith will present the 2023 North Carolina Travel Guide. The webinar will also give tips and insights into plans for the 2024 Travel Guide, including the upcoming Travel Guide roadshow, where DMO partners can pitch content ideas for their areas. The webinar will be at 10 a.m. Click here to register.
North Carolina promoted at Long Island expo Visit NC's André Nabors, along with partners from Edenton and New Bern, 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 850 potential retirees from the region who were interested in exploring opp
ortunities 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 NC 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 NC's marketing initiatives for retirement relocation, contact Andre Nabors at (919) 447-7771.
Research notes 2023 the year of ‘no-normal’
Recent research by Expedia, Hotels.com and VRBO calls 2023 the year of the “no-normal.” Travelers are seeking new experiences, new destinations and in new ways this year. Expedia Brands’ data shows a surge in trips to culture capitals, wellness retreats and outdoor destinations beyond beaches and mountains.
Culture Capitals – Travelers are ready to travel to urban areas again, according to this report. Visitors are seeking experiences and celebrations, festivals and events across the country and world.
Film/TV Inspired Tourism – Two-thirds of travelers have considered and nearly 40 percent have booked travel to Film or TV Inspired locations after viewing them.
Hotel Choices – While travelers are interested in luxury, they are more interested in amenities, quality interiors and unique vibes, but at a more economy price. Searches for three-star and under hotels are down, as nearly a quarter of global travelers plan to be more frugal in 2023.
Wellness – Wellness travel continues to be popular, but this year the quirkier the better. Alternative wellness activities such as laughter therapy and food boot camps are increasingly more popular than traditional wellness trip types.
Foodies – Travelers who stay in rentals and cook are not just doing so to be cost effective, but for the experience. More than half of travelers seeking rentals say that cooking amenities are one of the most important criteria. The top five cooking amenities are outdoor kitchens, fancy coffee machines, air fryers, pizza ovens and access to gardens with fresh produce.
Ranch Retreats – Travel to beaches and mountains aren’t the only popular trip types. Ranches, lodges and farmhouses are growing in popularity.
Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies.
N.C. awarded 2029 World University Summer Games
North Carolina has been awarded the 2029 World University Summer Games by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). This will mark only the second time the event, which began in 1959, will be held in the U.S. Events will be held in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary and Greensboro. The World University Games Summer are for student-athletes ages 18 to 25. The proposed dates for the games are July 13-25. More than 7,000 athletes are expected to compete in 18 sports during the 12-day period at the 2023 games in China.
North Carolina Bid Committee's Hill Carrow said, "North Carolina’s landing these Games is similar to a major corporate relocation as the FISU Games will deliver a local economic impact of over $150 million, but with the added benefits of significant international tourism and worldwide branding exposure for our state and local communities."
Vote for Wilmington’s Riverwalk for ‘Best Riverwalk’
Vote for the Wilmington Riverwalk as Best Riverwalk, among the nominations for 10Best's Readers' Choice Awards categories for Best of Public Spaces. Online voting by readers is now open via USAToday.com; click on the hyperlink to vote. Voting ends at noon Feb. 6.
‘North Carolina Weekend’
For the week of Jan. 12, "North Carolina Weekend” offers “Creative State,” which initially aired Nov. 17. Featured segments include Carolina Bronze Sculpture in Seagrove; "The Power of Women in Country Music" exhibit at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh; Gregg Museum of Art & Design at N.C. State University in Raleigh; Mangum-Cater on Main in Sparta; and the “Chrome Dreams and Infinite Reflections” exhibition at Reynolda House Museum of Art in Winston-Salem. (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.
Visit North Carolina is part of Economic Development Partners of North Carolina
150 Fayetteville St. Suite 1200 Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601, United States
