Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners, January 12, 2022 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE:
* N.C.-filmed ‘Scream' opens in theaters this Friday * USGA back-to-back golf championships returning to Pinehurst in 2029 * Asheboro baseball team changes to ZooKeepers * Reidsville starts self-guided Toymakerz tour |
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The N.C.-filmed feature “Scream” opens nationally in theaters this Friday. The production filmed in the Wilmington area in 2020 and is estimated to have had a direct in-state spend in excess of $28 million, while creating approximately 400 job opportunities, including 175 positions for the state’s highly-skilled film professional workforce. “Scream” was the first major production to film in North Carolina since the complete industry shutdown due to COVID-19. In addition, the film’s official websiteincludes the “Filmed in North Carolina” logo with a link to the "Horror Film Sites and Haunted Houses to Visit in North 'SCarolina'" article on VisitNC.com. Watch the trailerhere. |
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Research shows travel sentiment improving, budget consciousness remains a priority Despite record COVID cases across the U.S., Destination Analysts reports that Americans’ overall travel sentiment has actually improved. Americans who report being in a ready-to-travel state of mind increased from about 76 percent in mid-December to 78 percent by year end. |
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While American travelers remain budget conscious (44 percent report being more budget conscious with regards to travel during the next three months as compared to the last three months), more than half say that travel is at least a somewhat high priority in their budgets during these next few months. Travel as a budget priority increased more than 8 percentage points during the last two weeks of 2021. Only 13 percent of Americans say they will travel less during the next 12 months than they did in the previous 12 months. |
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While the concept of “workcations” has become popular during the pandemic, interest in this type of travel appears to be waning. When compared to last January, those not at all interested in this type of travel increased 12 percentage points. Travelers report that having fun, relaxing, finding happiness and escaping stress are their top priorities for travel during the next 12 months. |
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Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. |
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USGA back-to-back golf championships returning to Pinehurst in 2029 The U.S. Golf Association will stage a second back-to-back pairing of its U.S. Open and Women’s Open in Pinehurst in 2029, reports The Pilot. The USGA, which is scheduled to open a second headquarters in Pinehurst by 2023, has rolled out a series of announcements involving the elevation of the Women’s Open, which will next be contested in June at the Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines. The organization had previously announced it would contest the U.S. Open in Pinehurst in 2029, in addition to 2035, 2041 and 2047. Last Friday’s announcement also continues the USGA’s extensive commitment to bring its golf championships to Moore County. Just last month, it announced a new championship – the U.S. Adaptive Open Championship – to be staged at Course No. 6 in Pinehurst this coming July and 2023, as well. This championship will be contested by the world’s best golfers with disabilities. When the USGA announced its second headquarters for Pinehurst in 2020, it tapped Pinehurst No. 2 as the first of its “anchor sites” for future championships. Pinehurst has already played host to 13 USGA championships. |
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Asheboro baseball team changes from Copperheads to ZooKeepers Asheboro's Coastal Plain League baseball franchise has a new name, new look and new logo, reports the (Asheboro) Courier-Tribune. This week, Asheboro's wood-bat summer league team announced its rebranding from the Copperheads to the ZooKeepers. "Over the past year or so, we took a long look at our brand and thought this was an ideal time to create something new and fresh,” said team owner Doug Pugh. “We've always been focused on delivering a fun product for the whole family, so what better theme to build off than Asheboro's biggest attraction? ZooKeepers was a no-brainer!" |
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Reidsville starts self-guided Toymakerz tour The City of Reidsville, in conjunction with Toymakerz, is launching a self-guided driving tour where fans can visit some of their favorite sites from the “Toymakerz” show, which was filmed in Reidsville. As a bonus, twice a month fans can get up close and personal by signing up to visit the Toymakerz shop and meet the crew. The tour features ten locations throughout Reidsville. The tour website provides a map of the locations on the tour. At each site is a sign with a QR code that will give information about the location as well as show a clip from the show at that site. The show, airing on the History and FYI networks, includes one-hour episodes that spotlight Toymakerz, a custom fabrication shop in Reidsville. |
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‘Samantha Brown’s Places to Love’ kicks off new season in Asheville The PBS program “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love” kicks off its fifth season spotlighting Asheville. The show starts with a drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains, then stops at Biltmore, the Eda Rhyne Distillery, The Block and Citizen Vinyl. At Chai Pani, Brown chats with Chef Meherwan Irani and also talks with several local artists. The program debuts tomorrow (Thursday) at 7:30 p.m. on PBS NC (check local listings). |
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Wrightsville Beach among '10 Best Spring Break Destinations in the U.S.' Travel + Leisure included Wrightsville Beach in its “10 Best Spring Break Destinations in the U.S.” Of the inclusion, the article noted, ” One of America's best beach towns, Wrightsville Beach offers water sports, restaurants, shopping, and local history. Stay oceanfront or near the harbor in the ideal place for your family or group of friends. Surfing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding are popular, and scuba divers seek out the area's sunken ships, reefs, and sea life habitats. Even if it's not swimming weather just yet, you can still enjoy being near the water on a cruise or fishing boat. Visitors can learn more about the area and imagine what it was like in the past in local museums.” |
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'North Carolina Weekend'
For the week of Jan. 13, "North Carolina Weekend" repeats the “Along the Blue Ridge” episode that originally aired Nov. 18. Segments feature Wehrloom Honey in Robbinsville; Linville Falls Winery in Newland; The Horton Hotel in Boone; Daniel Boone Heritage Trail in Mocksville; and Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum in Asheville. (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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