Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners | July 15, 2020 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC webinar examines 'Moving Forward Under the New Normal'
* Partners.VisitNC.com a valuable resource
* Research shows consumers believe pandemic situation will worsen
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Visit NC webinar examines 'Moving Forward Under the New Normal'
Visit NC's webinar today (Wednesday) examined the latest travel sentiment research, showcased Family Forward NC, featured air travel insight by American Airlines, and offered an update on Visit NC's safety/recovery plan, Count on Me NC.
Visit NC's Wit Tuttell presented an update on the latest research, providing Top Takeaways, such as personal safety concerns are the highest they've been in three months. One new graph reported COVID-19's Impact on the Ability to Experience Travel Priorities, such as the perception of how the virus would effect traveling to attend a festival or sporting event, or to enjoy outdoor recreation. In addition, Tuttell emphasized the importance of businesses to participate in Count on Me NC to let potential visitors know the business is doing its part to provide a safe environment for them. Lisa Finalidi, with the NC Early Childhood Foundation, provided information on Family Forward NC, a new initiative to keep North Carolina's businesses competitive and also improve children's health and well-being. The group works with employers to inspire them to be business smart, family friendly and future ready. DMO partners are welcome to contact Finaldi to schedule a program or HR support for their own partners. Will Mitchell, with American Airlines, offered their latest tracking study, which included the Level of Concern for air travelers, their return to "Everyday Work/Travel Activities" and "Social Activities," and Business Travel Restrictions. Mitchell noted the biggest concern of a traveler was not to be infected. Visit NC's Allison Schult updated the webinar attendees on the increasing success of Visit NC's Count on Me NC. She noted nearly 13,000 people have taken the pledge to travel safely, and nearly 3,000 businesses have completed the online certification program. Schult unveiled "Sunny," a character that will be featured in the campaign and accompanied by a catchy jingle. She explained the messaging will be 80 percent targeted to N.C. residents and 20 percent to the contiguous states around North Carolina. A roll-out schedule for the various aspects of the safety recovery plan was also provided. Partners will be able to link to Count on Me NC collateral materials, such as videos, and share or link them with their own partners. |
Partners.VisitNC.com a valuable resource
Visit NC's "industry-facing" website, Partners.VisitNC.com, is a valuable resource for industry partners and stakeholders to obtain information related to COVID-19 resources and webinars, overall objectives and strategies, partner program opportunities, research and other industry information. For instance, when the county-by-county economic impact numbers are available next month, they'll be located under the Research section. Site features include monthly lodging reports, and directories of industry contacts, as well as an opportunity for partners to sign up for NewsLink and view archived editions. To view the site and valuable information, visit Partners.VisitNC.com and be sure to save it as your bookmark for NC Tourism. |
Research shows consumers believe pandemic situation will worsen
Consumer views for the next 12 months and expectations for fall travel as a result of the pandemic continue to worsen. H2R Market Research reports this week that 6 in 10 consumers believe there will be a second wave of the virus and 44 percent expect another government lockdown. In the most recent Destination Analysts report, a record low of less than 14 percent of American travelers feel that the pandemic will get better in the U.S. in the next month. For the last two weeks, a higher proportion of American travelers disagree that they will be traveling in the fall than those who agree. Travelers in the South region of the U.S. are only slightly more optimistic about fall travel. Thirty-seven percent of Southern travelers agree that they will be traveling in the fall as compared to less than 36 percent of overall American travelers.
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While a third of travelers say they could be convinced to take a trip this year, the majority of this week's respondents indicate that they do not want travelers in their communities right now. In fact, only a third of them feel comfortable themselves in their own communities. While intent to visit attractions has steadily declined since June, says H2R, outdoor attractions remain the most appealing for American consumers. The good news is that those who have visited an attraction after restrictions lifted were more likely to say that the attraction made them feel safe and confident. As well, fewer consumers see wearing a mask as a barrier to visiting attractions or traveling. The main barriers remain large crowds and the fear of contracting the virus. Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. |
A property can share its response to COVID-19 on its Tripadvisor page
For those businesses with a Tripadvisor page, the company is now offering "How to Share Your Property's Response to COVID-19 on Tripadvisor." Businesses can now post information regarding their approach in the new Property Announcements section of their Tripadvisor listing page. This is a step-by-step guide to share with potential guests and visitors the safety precautions a property is taking against COVID-19. |
CDC offers Toolkit for Domestic Travelers
The Centers for Disease Control has released its Toolkit for Domestic Travelers, which offers guidance and tools to help travelers protect themselves, their families and their community. In addition to FAQs, there are web resources such Traveling Overnight, Visiting Beaches and Pools, and Visiting Parks and Recreational Facilities. Posters, Fact Sheets, Videos and Social Media are also available that may be useful to individuals and businesses. |
Communicator Awards recognize Rutherford County TDA, Dunhill Hotel
Rutherford County TDA's "Moments That Matter" promotional campaign has been recognized with a Communicator Award of Excellence - Integrated Campaign. Per the RCTDA, the campaign was inspired by the simple question "What do people want when they travel?" Postcards for The Dunhill Hotel in Charlotte were also recognized with a Communicator Award of Distinction - Marketing/Promotion for Collateral-Postcards. The Communicator Awards are hand-selected by the AIVA (Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts), an invitation-only group consisting of professionals from media, communications, advertising, creative and marketing firms. |
Reynolda House among Living's '102 places we love'
In its July/August issue, Martha Stewart Living featured "102 Places We Love." a varied collection of hometown gems compiled by the "Living team." Under Small & Mighty Museums, it included Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem. Of Reynolda House, one Team member explained, "See rotating collections of contemporary works, or walk through vegetable and rose gardens meticulously maintained for over a century." |
Great Smoky Mountains RR included in 'It's "all aboard" again for these scenic train rides after closing for coronavirus'  | |
USA Today included the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in "It's 'all aboard' again for these scenic train rides after closing for coronavirus." Of the Bryson City attraction, the article explained "The railroad operates steam and diesel trains five days a week through western North Carolina's Nantahala Gorge. All reservations must be pre-booked online or by phone... face masks are required (in compliance with a state order) and first class is not available until Aug. 1. Food service is limited to pre-ordered boxed lunches. The train takes passengers 44 miles into the gorge from Bryson City and back over 4½ hours. Beginning in August, visitors can book a seat in a first-class car where they will be served North Carolina moonshine. In September, visitors will be able to take a 32-mile, four-hour round trip from Bryson City to Dillsboro. Along the way, they will pass the site of a train wreck staged for the 1993 movie 'The Fugitive,' starring Harrison Ford." |
For the week of July 16, "North Carolina Weekend" spotlights "state parks and other treasures." Features include Bald Head Island, Grandfather Mountain in Linville, Crowders Mountain State Park in Kings Mountain, Tar River canoeing in Tarboro, Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in Wilson, and elk in Maggie Valley. (Check local listings; 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. |
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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