Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners - July 19, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC at National Geographic Traveller UK Food Festival
* NatGeo turns spotlight on N.C.
in two prime posts
A segment in the July 12 edition of NewsLink inaccurately placed Bearology-N.C. Black Bear Discovery Center in Washington; the Center is located in Plymouth.
Visit NC at National Geographic Traveller UK Food Festival
Visit North Carolina joined eight other states within the Travel South region for four days of media and consumer events around the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival in London. Chef Ricky Moore of Saltbox Seafood in Durham showcased his Oysters Pamlico during a Master Class event for 150 media, influencer and tour operators, along with people in the U.S. Ambassador’s office. During the Festival, nearly 8,000 consumers enjoyed his seasoned oyster crackers and oyster stew. In addition to promoting N.C. seafood, Moore promoted the state's fisherfolk and aquaculture to journalists. The U.K. continues to be the #1 overseas market for international visitors to the state.
NatGeo turns spotlight on N.C. in two prime posts
North Carolina was featured in a pair of NationalGeographic.com articles that incorporated leads from the Visit NC PR team. The writer reached out for recommendations whilecreating two stories: “The essential guide to visiting North Carolina” and the companion piece “Visiting North Carolina: Here’s what the locals love."
The guide included tips based on season, covered top attractions, tapped into culinary and cultural highlights, and provided details about transportation and sustainability. Among the expert sources in “What the locals love” were Raleigh chef Ashley Christensen, Kelly McCoy of RiverGirl Fishing Co. in Todd, Brandon Johnson from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and Harrison Marks of the Coastal Land Trust. Nationalgeographic.com attracts 8 million unique monthly visitors.
Cucalorus among ‘25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World’ Cucalorus Film Festival is among MovieMaker's " 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World, 2023." Of Cucalorus, one panelist explained, “Artist-driven, no juried competitions, more costumes than panels, freak flags always flying high, with a loving emphasis on communal experiences and collaboration. Come for the best-kept secret in mid-size fest programming, stay for the guest-commissioned interactive happenings inspired by David Lynch’s Blue Velvet – which was famously shot there in Wilmington, N.C.” Another panelist added,” No one comes here without a personal story following them home.”
Research shows leisure and hospitality sector leads industry for job openings
According to data recently released by the U.S. Travel Association, the leisure and hospitality sector has averaged 1.5 million job openings since the start of the year, the highest opening rate among all industries.
US Travel Association, 2023
Lack of access to temporary workers as a result of visa timing issues and low availability of H-2B visas exasperates the problem. Demand for H-2B visas exceeds 200,000 requested positions for only 66,000 available visas. U.S. Travel is pursuing changes that would lift the cap or exempt some visa holders from counting against the cap. This would effectively expand the opportunity to hire international workers.
Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through NewsLink with links to available studies.
UPLIFT is launching its Knowledge Center. From grants to webinars, the Knowledge Center will house information about programs that support tourism. The Center will be updated regularly as UPLIFT gathers more research, and acquires more tools and resources. Next week UPLIFT is offering two walk-throughs of the Knowledge Center, the same workshop at two different time slots – 2-3 p.m. on July 26 and 7-8 p.m. on July 27. There will be a Q & A at the end of each session. Click on the hyperlinks to register.
Chelsea/Wrexham match estimated to bring $15-20 million in economic impact to Chapel Hill
The sold-out match between U.K.-based Chelsea and Wrexham football clubs in Chapel Hill today (Wednesday) is estimated to bring up to $20 million in economic impact to Chapel Hill. Many Chapel Hill business owners are seeing a bump in business as those fans are renting hotel rooms, eating out and shopping. It wasn’t just tickets that sold quickly when the match was first announced – Chapel Hill’s entire stock of 1,200 hotel rooms also filled within hours, causing a ripple effect in nearby Durham and Raleigh.
“There is a huge economic impact for the area,” explains Chapel Hill/Orange County VB's Laurie Paolicelli. “We are guesstimating right now –and that’s all we can do, as this is the first event of its kind in Chapel Hill – but the belief is this will be worth around $20 million to the area. There can be a gap in those economics, of course. We don’t know the ratio of those fans driving versus flying and a few other things." Paolicelli noted, "Tickets were purchased in all 50 states and across the waters internationally."
Vote for Highland’s Spa at Old Edwards for ‘Best hotel spa’
Vote for the Spa at Old Edwards in Highlands as Best Hotel Spa, among the nominations for 10Best's Readers' Choice Awards categories for Best of Hotel Features. Online voting by readers is now open via USAToday.com; click on the hyperlink to vote. Voting ends at noon Aug. 14.
N.C. sites, destinations among World's Best winners
Travel + Leisure has announced the winners of its World's Best Awards 2023 and several N.C. sites and destinations are recognized.
Among the 15 Favorite Resorts in the South, The Swag in Waynesville ranked #1, Skyline Lodge in Highlands was #2, Fearrington House Inn in Pittsboro #3, Old Edwards Inn & Spa in Highlands #6, Half-Mile Farm in Highlands #8, and High Hampton in Cashiers #14.
This year marked the 28th edition of the magazine's annual poll, which is the result of T+L readers casting their votes for the hotels, destinations and companies that define the very best in travel.
N.C. airport & airline news
Air France to replace Delta flight to Paris - Air France will begin service in October from Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport from Raleigh-Durham International Airport. RDU confirmed the thrice-weekly Air France flight will replace the current Delta flight, becoming the only airline with nonstop service connecting CDG to RDU.
American Airlines adding flight from Quad Cities International Airport to CLT- American Airlines has announced direct flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport from Quad Cities International Airport in Moline, Ill. The twice-daily flights connecting MLI to CLT are slated to start in December. Moline is home to the headquarters of Deere & Co., which makes agricultural, construction and forestry equipment and machinery under the John Deere banner.
American Airlines adding flight from MIA to ILM - American Airlines will begin a new nonstop route to Wilmington International Airport from Miami International Airport. The weekly flight connecting MIA to ILM is scheduled to start Nov. 11.
AVL sees busiest year ever in 2022 - The Asheville Regional Airport has eclipsed its pre-pandemic passenger numbers, setting a record in the process. According to the airport’s 2022 annual report, the airport served more than 1.8 million passengers in 2022, that’s almost a quarter million more passengers than in 2019. This was the busiest year in AVL’s history and a 29 percent increase from 2021.
For the week of July 20, "North Carolina Weekend” offers “Small Town Stops.” Featured segments include Patterson Farm in Mt. Ulla; Newgrass Brewing in Shelby; a profile of Burgaw; The Ansonia Theatre in Wadesboro; and Leon's Burger Express in Mount Airy. (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.
Upcoming industry meetings & events
through July 20 – Destinations International Annual Convention, Dallas, Texas July 23-25 – AENC Annual Meeting, Winston-Salem Aug. 10 – Visit NC monthly webinar Aug. 18-22 – SYTA Annual Conference, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Aug. 19-22 – US Travel Assn’s ESTO, Savannah, Ga. Aug. 22-25 – NCMA-VMA-MCASC Regional Meeting, Cherokee Sept. 14 – NC Festivals & Events Fall Seminar, High Point Sept. 18-21 – Outdoor Economy Conference, Cherokee Sept. 25-28 – STS Connections, Jackson, Miss.
Visit North Carolina is part of Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
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