| Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners | July 11, 2018 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE: * Visit NC's PR efforts lead to two-part 'North Carolina Road Trip' * TRAC coming to Reidsville/Rockingham County region Aug. 9
* 2019 N.C Travel Guide early bird discount ends July 31
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Visit NC's PR efforts lead to two-part 'North Carolina Road Trip' The efforts by Visit NC's PR team have led to a two-part column on Forbes.com by luxury travel/culinary freelancer Amber Gibson. The team built on its relationship with Gibson to develop the itinerary and, with support from partners, extend the areas of interest for continuing coverage of North Carolina.
"A North Carolina Road Trip (Part One) - Waynesville to Blowing Rock" started with a stay at The Swag in Waynesville. Gibson paid a return visit to Asheville, where she spent time at the Grand Bohemian Hotel, the Omni Grove Park Inn's spa, and several arts and culinary hot spots. Then it was on to Blowing Rock with its shop-filled village and Westglow Resort & Spa. "A North Carolina Road Trip (Part Two) - Pittsboro to Raleigh" opened with Gibson's overnight stay at Fearrington and its indulgent dining and village shops. After a stop at TOPO Distillery in Chapel Hill, she made her second visit to the Bull City for a taste of the Durham Hotel, Durham Distilling, and other food and beverage spots. A return trip to the Raleigh area included an overnight stay at the Mayton Inn in Cary and time in downtown Raleigh's Warehouse District.
Forbes.com has 29.8 million unique visits per month. In addition to her column for forbes.com, Gibson counts American Way, Departures, National Geographic Traveler and Chicago's Make It Better magazine among her outlets. |
| | A previous TRAC in Warrenton | |
TRAC coming to Reidsville/Rockingham County region Aug. 9 On Aug. 9, tourism-related businesses in Reidsville and Rockingham County - plus the surrounding counties - will have an opportunity to work with Visit North Carolina staff to learn about its research, development and marketing services, and discuss best practices in reaching travelers, the media and increasing tourism visitation and spending. Visit North Carolina's Tourism Resource Assistance Center (TRAC) is a community-based training program designed to help small tourism-related businesses. TRAC will be held 10 am - 2 pm in Reidsville; stay tuned to future NewsLinks for the specific location. There is no charge to attend, no reservation is required, and there is no PowerPoint presentation. This is a come-when-you-can/stay-as-long-as-you'd-like event opportunity for all tourism-related businesses to meet one-on-one with program managers to discuss better ways to promote their property or event. TRAC brings Visit North Carolina's program managers to local communities to discuss the nuts and bolts of working with the organization. This invaluable program is designed to help tourism-related businesses engage more fully with programs offered by Visit North Carolina and its partners. Representatives from the EDPNC's BLNC, N.C. Welcome Centers/Visitor Services, N.C. State Parks, Agritourism, and NC GreenTravel are often on hand to discuss services they can provide businesses, including strategic planning, assisting with identifying funding sources and serving as liaisons with other local, state and federal agencies. For additional information on this session or to learn more about scheduling a TRAC visit to your community, contact André Nabors at (919) 447-7771. |
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2019 N.C Travel Guide early bird discount ends July 31 The early bird discount for ad sales for the 2019 Official North Carolina Travel Guide endsJuly 31. The North Carolina Travel Guide is the primary consumer fulfillment publication for Visit North Carolina in its international and national marketing efforts to promote the state as a premier travel destination. The guide serves as the best source for selecting what to do and where to stay when visiting North Carolina. Integrated media rates allow a destination or brand to reach consumers in all stages of travel planning. Sales representatives from Meredith are meeting face-to-face with industry partners throughout the state to share advertising opportunities for the Travel Guide. As an advertiser, your brand will be intrinsically part of a promotional campaign and distribution across Meredith's properties, including:
* Bonus 50,000 copies delivered to known travelers who subscribe to some of Meredith's popular publications such as Martha Stewart Living, Parents and Family Circle
* National promotion within several Meredith publications reaching almost 21 million subscribers
* North Carolina tourism segments on key local Meredith TV stations
* Enewsletters sent to nearly 1.2 million opt-in subscribers
* Promotion on Meredith websites The Travel Guide offers engaging editorial and captivating photography in an easy-to-read format. Features will include cross-promotion of additional content, including videos, that will also be available in a digital Travel Guide. Space is limited. Advertising sales are available at an early bird discounted rate untilJuly 31. View the 2019 NC Travel Guide Media Kit here. For more information, contact Regional Sales Director Stacey Rosseter at (678) 571-7445. |
Ads of the World recognizes Firsts That Last campaign Visit North Carolina's Firsts That Last marketing campaign was recently recognized by Ads of the World, the world's largest advertising archive and community. The industry site reaches advertising professionals around the globe and calls attention to inspiring, informative and interesting work. The campaign and Firsts That Last messaging launched this spring extends throughout Visit North Carolina's program including broadcast, cable and streaming video; print; public relations; social media and visitnc.com. See more on VisitNC.com for the Firsts That Last stories of real travelers experiencing North Carolina for the first time. |
| | | Whirligig at I-95 North NC Welcome Center |
Whirligigs come to I-95 North, South N.C. Welcome Centers The N.C. Welcome Centers at I-95 North and I-95 South are now home to a whirligig at each site. The kinetic sculptures by artist Vollis Simpson have been restored and are on display at each center to encourage visitors to stop in Wilson, reports The Wilson Times. The Wilson County TDA purchased three whirligigs, two of which have been placed at the two welcome centers on I-95 with the third to be displayed at the Wilson Visitors Center. According to Wilson County TDA director Sandra Homes, an "About 3.3 million people go through the welcome centers every year, so it's a great advertisement for Wilson. It's a great way to sell Wilson." Jeff Bell, with the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park and Museum in Wilson, agreed that having the whirligigs installed in two high-traffic areas like the welcome centers helps bring people to Wilson. He frequently encounters tourists who came to Wilson specifically to see the whirligigs. "I can't even tell you how many people who saw them up there and would come just because they saw them, so that's an incredible amount," Bell said. |
The Swag, Old Edwards, Westglow and Asheville among Travel + Leisure's 2018 World's Best Awards |
'Restore Our Parks Act' introduced
Last week, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced the Restore Our Parks Act, legislation that would address the nearly $12 billion backlog of repairs and maintenance within the National Park Service (NPS). A compromise between the previously introduced National Park Service Legacy Act and the National Park Restoration Act, the bill would establish a fund called the "National Park Service Legacy Restoration Fund." This fund, which would allocate existing revenues the government receives from on and offshore energy development, would address the ever-growing backlog of maintenance and repairs needed in national parks. The U.S. Travel Association notes, "Of the 37.6 million overseas visitors who traveled to the U.S. in 2016, more than a third of them visited a national park or monument. As the U.S. seeks to grow its share of the international travel market, it is crucial that we maintain one of its biggest draws for visitation: our national parks." |
National Trails System celebrating 50 years
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act. which established National Scenic Trails and National Recreation Trails. To mark the observance, resources are available at trails50.org, a joint project of federal and non-profit partners working to encourage the promotion and protection of all trails. The website includes a toolkit with logos, fact sheets, media information, sample social media language, images, videos, and more. There's also have an events map, story map, and information about the entire National Trails System, which includes designated Scenic Trails, Historic Trails, Recreation Trails and Rail Trails. |
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ADA marks 28 years making a difference to visitors
July 26 marks the 28th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For millions of Americans, the ADA brings the promise of equal access to many aspects of life, including employment, education and community living. Community living includes tourism and the ability to visit and fully enjoy museums, concert halls, stadiums, parks, beaches and more. In 1990, Congress found that 43 million Americans have a disability of some type, including a mobility disability, deaf or hard of hearing, vision loss, a mental or psychiatric disability, and other conditions; Congress raised this estimate to 54 million with the signing of the ADA Amendments Act in 2008. A 2015 report noted Americans with disabilities spend approximately $17.3 billion annually on travel.
The N.C. Council on Developmental Disabilities is steering the celebration in North Carolina with a blog and events spotlight. If anyone has questions about providing access for visitors with disabilities or wants to share updates of what their organization, attraction, lodging or other business is doing to provide access, contact Philip Woodward or accessnorthcarolina@gmail.com. To follow developments in accessible tourism in North Carolina, check out Access North Carolina on Facebook. You can also view the Access North Carolina travel guide; please note this was most recently updated in 2015 when it was lasted printed. Contact Woodward, too, for suggestions on how a business can make its site more welcoming to visitors with disabilities, from having tactile exhibits/signage to video captioning to wheelchair access. |
Vote for N.C. faves among 10Best hotel/spa categories
Several N.C. favorites are among the 10Best nominations for two categories. Online voting by readers is now open via USAToday.com's website; click on the hyperlink to vote. Voting ends Aug. 6at noon. Best Hotel Spa Best Health & Wellness Resort |
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Fodor's recognizes Sylva, Bryson City
Fodor's Travel included Sylva among its "America's 25 Cutest Main Streets in Small(er) Towns." Of Sylva, the article noted, "If you think you've seen this sweet main street before, it's very possible you have. The darkly comedic Oscar-nominated drama Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri was primarily filmed here. The misty Blue Ridge Mountains frame the early 20th-century storefronts, and you'll have a fun afternoon exploring its one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants. Given its old-timey feel, the last thing you might expect is a latter-day brewery scene, but there you have it." Visit NC's PR team assisted the writer with photography. For "America's 15 Best Small-Town Fourth of July Celebrations," Fodor's Travel included Bryson City. Of the designation, the article explained, "Bryson City may be small, but this Smokies town likes to go big on the Fourth, with what they call Freedom Fest. It always takes place on the Fourth - unless it's a Sunday (you don't shoot off fireworks on a Sunday in the South). The family-friendly event has arts and crafts vendors, lots of food (shave ice, funnel cakes, pork rinds - and frozen cheesecake on a stick, dipped in chocolate), a "Strutt Your Mutt" contest, a watermelon-eating contest, live music kicking off at 4 p.m., and, finally, the fireworks show." |
Browder new executive director for Crystal Coast TDA
Jim Browder is the new executive director of the Crystal Coast TDA. He may be contacted at (252) 726-5257 or via jim@sunnync.com. |
Sheet and towel cards save hotel linens, money and the environment
Many hotels are now using "sheet and towel" cards to save money, wear and tear on linens and help protect the environment. By placing these cards on the bed or bathroom counter, guests indicate that they prefer not having their bed linens and towels changed on a daily basis. (However, those items will be automatically changed every three days for extended stays.) The cards indicate that the guests would like to help conserve water and save energy, plus it reduces detergent use and extends the life of laundry equipment. The housekeeping staff will still make the beds and clean the guestroom as usual. About 75 percent of the guests will opt out of having their sheets and towels changed. According to Starwood Hotels & Resorts, one guest opting out of housekeeping for one night can help save 49.2 gallons of water, 0.19 kWh of electricity, 25,000 BTU of natural gas and 7 ounces of cleaning product chemicals. Given the amount of money saved, some hotels offer guest incentives such as gift cards and other perks, but most guests opt out because they want to protect the environment. For further information about hotel sheet and towel cards, contact NC GreenTravel manager Tom Rhodes at (919) 707-8140. |
| | For the week of July 12 on North Carolina Weekend, take in a show at the Eden Drive-In in Eden. Join a family's rafting trip in part 2 of a segment on the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City. Celebrate French culture in Raleigh with visits to several restaurants and bookstores. Learn some history at the Montford Point Marine Museum in Jacksonville. And the "House Special" samples the fare at Montero's Restaurant in Elizabeth City. (Check local listings; segments are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by Visit North Carolina. In addition, UNC-TV has made recent editions of North Carolina Weekend
available online. | In 2017, more than 16 percent of out-of-state overnight visitors were first time visitors to the state, a slight increase from 2016. More than half (58.2 percent) have visited more than 3 times in the last 5 years. For more North Carolina visitor information, visit the Visitor Profile Studies, or contact Tourism Research Director Marlise Taylor at (919) 447-7748. |
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Upcoming Industry Meetings & Events
July 19-20 - MPI-CC Meeting, Winston-Salem July 21-23 - AENC Annual Meeting, Greenville July 27 - Piedmont Triad DMO Meeting, High Point Aug. 7 - Visit NC Travel & Tourism Board Meeting, Charlotte Aug. 8-12 - NCMA-VMA-MCASC Regional Meeting, Greenville, S.C. Aug. 9 - Visit NC TRAC, Reidsville Aug. 11-14 - US Travel Assn's ESTO, Phoenix, Ariz. Aug. 16 - NC Coast Host Meeting, Greenville Aug. 27-28 - N.C. Restaurant & Lodging Expo, Charlotte |
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