Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners, January 6, 2021 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE:
* 2021 Visit NC 365 Conference is going virtual *Visit NC webinar today looked at Tourism Promotion Grants, Visit NC activities ‘moving forward’ * Visit NC PR efforts lead to High Hampton, Speedway Christmas in the spotlights |
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2021 Visit NC 365 Conference is going virtual
Save the date for the 2021 Visit NC 365 Conference, April 21-22. The annual Visit NC 365 Conference is the state's premier travel industry event. Bringing together more than 500 of the state's tourism industry leaders, the two half-day sessions provide opportunities to catch up on the latest trends and issues facing the travel industry and hear insights from industry experts. NewsLink will have updates regarding conference registration and other information in future issues. |
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Visit NC webinar today looked at Tourism Promotion Grants, Visit NC activities ‘moving forward’
This week’s Visit NC webinar, which was held today, Visit NC’s Wit Tuttell gave up update on traveler sentiment, noting interest in travel had been trending upward but tends to have dropped off, likely due to reports of vaccination delays. Tuttell noted the passage of the Heroes Act, specifically the Payroll Protection Program as far as DMOs are concerned, plus the extension of the deadline for using Tourism Promotion Grant funding, now to Dec. 31, 2021; then he reviewed updating the necessary paperwork. On a side note, those DMOs that may have nominal funding not spent yet might consider Count On Me NC facial masks or other COMNC promotional items. Order information can be found here. Tuttell also mentioned that for the preparation and planning of the FY 2021-'22 partner co-op, Visit NC is requesting all DMO partner organizations complete a soon-to-be-released survey, which is a follow-up to one done last summer. The survey will offer DMOs the chance to provide information on their own marketing priorities. Other partners are encouraged to touch base with their local DMOs to ensure their views are noted, too.
The next Visit NC webinar will be Wednesday, Jan. 20. In the meantime, recordings of the Visit NC webinars are available here. Visit NC's webinar topics and registration information will be posted as available on Partners.VisitNC - COVID-19 and Visit NC 365. In a continuing effort to foster collaboration through the COVID-19 crisis, Visit NC and NCTIA have been hosting bi-weekly, regional online meetings for DMOs across the state. The next DMO Forums will be Tuesday, Jan. 12. |
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Visit NC PR efforts lead to High Hampton among '18 brand-new US hotels to add to your bucket list’
Due to the efforts of Visit NC’s PR team, BusinessInsider.com included High Hampton in Cashiers in its “18 brand-new US hotels to add to your 2021 bucket list.” The PR team worked with the writer for the article, who selected the “resplendent lakeside inn in North Carolina” which reopens this spring after undergoing major renovations that started back in 2018. The article noted, in part, “While completely revamped, this storied property's rich heritage and traditional yet rustic interiors have all been upgraded to include modern amenities suited for the next generation of travelers. With 18-rooms in the Inn, as well as 40 cottages along the hotel's privately owned Hampton Lake, there are plenty of options... Included in a stay here is access to club amenities from golf, tennis, pickleball, fitness center, swimming pool, nature trails, and the lake, as well as breakfast and dinner. Surrounded by 15-miles of hiking with breathtaking mountain views, a swimming pool and hot tub.” BusinessInsider.com reaches 30.6 million unique monthly visitors. |
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Speedway Christmas among ‘Cruise Along These Holiday Lights Drive-Throughs Across The U.S.’
Last month, BudgetTraveler.com included Speedway Christmas among its "Cruise Along These Holiday Lights Drive-Throughs Across The U.S." The inclusion was the result of the Visit NC PR team working with the freelance writer. Of the selection, the article explained, "At Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., ‘Speedway Christmas’ is happening now through Jan. 17 and has more than four million LED lights in displays along a 3.75-mile stretch. This event also has holiday movies shown on a large HDTV screen Thursdays through Sundays. For an additional fee, attendees can skate on a 5,400-square-foot ice rink; mask-wearing is required." BudgetTravel.com garners more than 45.500 unique monthly visitors. |
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Research shows American travelers open to travel inspiration, just not as ready to travel yet With virus cases at record high levels, just 42 percent of American travelers feel comfortable even going out in their own communities right now for leisure activities. Likewise, nearly half of Americans say they are not confident that they can travel safely in the current environment, says Destination Analysts this first full week of 2021. Yet despite the concerns about contracting the virus and economic concerns, Americans miss travel very much (60 percent) and are open to travel inspiration (53 percent). More than a third of travelers admit they have day-dreamed about travel in the last week and talked about a future trip with friends or family. Nearly a quarter of Americans have researched travel ideas online in just the past week. |
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While nearly 45 percent of American travelers still say that they will not travel without a vaccine, 60 percent now say they plan on taking the vaccine when its available to them and nearly half will have their children vaccinated. However with the slow roll-out of the vaccine, the proportion of travelers who think it will affect optimism for travel in the next six months decreased this week from last week (from 53 percent to 51 percent). |
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When asked about future travel in 2021, respondents indicate a slow return, with the majority of leisure trips to tentatively occur during the summer months. On average, Americans say they will take 3 leisure trips in 2021, still down from the average of 4.9 trips taken in 2019. |
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Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. |
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RDU, CLT get new flights JetBlue is expanding at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, announcing nonstop flights from seven new destinations to RDU. On Feb. 11, JetBlue will begin flying between RDU and Austin, Jacksonville, Newark, Orlando and Tampa. On March 4, it will add flights from Las Vegas and San Francisco. |
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‘Triangle’ among ‘50 Best Places to Travel in 2021’ Travel + Leisure featured “North Carolina’s Triangle” in its “50 Best Places to Travel in 2021.” Of the inclusion, the article explained, in part,” The Triangle, shorthand for the Research Triangle, a cluster in the North Carolina Piedmont anchored by the cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Boutique properties like the 53-room Durham Hotel and the tiny, stylish Guest House Raleigh have opened in the past few years, raising the bar for local accommodations and kicking off a wave of new spots with a design-forward sensibility. January 2020 saw the opening of the Longleaf Hotel, a downtown Raleigh motor lodge revamped with a fittingly midcentury-inspired aesthetic, and the sleek Origin Hotel – the upstart brand’s fourth location – made its debut this summer. While you’re in town, make time to explore the trails of Duke Forest or Umstead Park, wander down Durham’s Main Street or Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, and hit up the many incredible restaurants in the area. Much talked-about spots like Saltbox Seafood Joint, Brewery Bhavana, and Garland – not to mention chef Ashley Christensen’s stable of restaurants – live up to the hype. But don’t overlook the Triangle’s longstanding gems: You can’t go wrong with La Farm Bakery in Cary for artisan bread and a signature white chocolate baguette, Char-Grill for unfussy burgers, or Crook’s Corner in Chapel Hill for the platonic ideal of shrimp and grits.” |
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Vote for two N.C. airports among airport favorites
North Carolina has two airports among the nominations for 10Best's Readers' Choice Awards categories for Best Airports. Online voting by readers is now open via USAToday.com; click on the hyperlink to vote. Voting ends Feb. 1 at noon. |
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‘Enjoy 12 of the Country’s Most Beautiful Drive-Through Christmas Light Shows’ includesTanglewood Park’s Festival of Lights
WhereTraveler.com suggested Tanglewood Park’s Festival of Lights in its “Enjoy 12 of the Country’s Most Beautiful Drive-Through Christmas Light Shows.” Of the event in Clemmons, the article noted, “The Annual Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights drive-through holiday lights display is a four-mile experience in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with more than one million LED lights and 180 displays. Tanglewood Park is the former 1100-acre estate of Will and Kate Reynolds, of the R.J. Reynolds family.” |
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High Hampton’s The Dining Room, Tavern among ‘15 Highly Anticipated Restaurants Opening in 2021’
Food & Wine included The Dining Room at High Hampton and The Tavern in Cashiers in its "15 Highly Anticipated Restaurants Opening in 2021." Of the selection, the article explained, "High Hampton, the Cashiers, North Carolina, mountain retreat is re-opening this spring, with restored rooms and two restaurants, all overseen by the [food & beverage] team behind Blackberry Farm [in Tennessee]." |
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January issue brings ‘The Snows of Applachia’ The January issue of Our State magazine features “The Snows of Appalachia.” “Downtown” tours Lexington and “Restaurant” highlights Lefler’s Place in Mount Gilead. The January issue is available now. |
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Hill new director for Dismal Swamp Welcome Center, leading Camden County TDA Sarah Hill is the new director for the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center and chair of the Camden County TDA. She may be contacted at (252) 771-8333 or via shill@camdencountync.gov. |
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Henderson County TDA seeking executive director
The Henderson County TDA is seeking an executive director, as Beth Carden is retiring in Spring 2021. To view the full description or to submit an application, click here. The position is open until filled. |
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‘North Carolina Weekend’
For the week of Jan. 7, "North Carolina Weekend" features segments on southern beaches in winter, based in Sunset Beach; Beech Mountain Resort in Beech Mountain; the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Asheville; a winter tour of waterfalls, based in Brevard; and a profile of Morganton master weaver Joanne Blough. (Check local listings for schedule; segments are subject to change.) "North Carolina Weekend" is underwritten by Visit North Carolina. In addition, UNC-TV 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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