Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners | July 22, 2020 |
|
| IN THIS ISSUE:
* EDPNC webinar tomorrow examines film recruitment * Visit NC PR efforts lead to Corolla, Carova in 'Best of Bella' for Coastal Escape * Wilmington region-filmed 'Words on Bathroom Walls' trailer released |
|
EDPNC webinar tomorrow examines film recruitment The EDPNC is offering a webinar tomorrow (Thursday) at 2 p.m. that will provide "A Look Inside the Business of Film Recruitment." N.C. Film Office Director Guy Gaster will lead a discussion about the recruitment process for the entertainment industry and how North Carolina stacks up against other states and territories. He will be joined by production executives that will also share their roles in the process and what they are looking for in a location to base their production. Click here to register. Visit NC's webinar series will return next Wednesday with details to be announced closer to the event. 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 VisitNC365. |
Visit NC PR efforts lead to Corolla, Carova in 'Best of Bella' for Coastal Escape
The efforts of the Visit NC PR team have led to Corolla and Carova spotlighted in Bella Magazine's "Best of Bella" as "Best (Under-the-Radar) Coastal Escape." Of the designation, the magazine noted "Located within a day's drive of most places along the east coast, the family-friendly seaside destinations of Corolla and Carova, North Carolina, await. You won't find theme parks or superstores here, but you will find miles of soft beaches and wild Spanish mustangs roaming the dune lines. Explore historic Corolla Park, climb 220 steps to the top of the Currituck Lighthouse for a stunning view, or take a drive to the four-wheel drive beaches. These need to be added to your bucket list!" Bella Magazine is a national lifestyle publication offering a curated guide to fashion, beauty, health, philanthropy, arts and culture, cuisine, celebrities, and entertainment. |
Wilmington region-filmed 'Words on Bathroom Walls' trailer released
The trailer for "Words on Bathroom Walls" has been released. View the trailer here. The production filmed in 2018 and had a direct in-state spend in excess of $8.4 million while creating 957 job opportunities while filming in New Hanover and Brunswick Counties. The production did qualify and receive a rebate via the NC Film and Entertainment Grant program. |
Research shows American travelers largely support mask requirements, which can affect destination choice Research this week tells us that American travelers largely support mask requirements and other social distancing guidelines. Destination Analysts reports this week that more than two-thirds of American travelers plan to wear a face mask during trips and that if a destination they want to visit requires masks in public, that this would make them happy. |
Similarly, Longwoods International reports this week that mask requirements have strong influence on destination choice. More than one-third of travelers say they will only visit destinations with such requirements and one-fourth are more likely to visit destinations with mask requirements.
Mask wearing and social distancing don't just affect travel scenarios but are going mainstream, according to the most recent Harris Poll. It reports that 75 percent of Americans are now more likely to wear a mask and socially distance than last month, and wearing masks in public has increased 14 percentage points since late March. Travel expectations for the rest of 2020 remained depressed with only plans for fall trips decreasing. However, there is some optimism for future travel in the next 12 months with 16 percent of American travelers saying they expect to take more leisure trips in the next 12 months than they did in the previous year. And more than a third of them say they will prioritize leisure travel spending in their budgets, reports Destination Analysts. Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. |
Charlotte's new soccer team unveils name, crest, colors
Soccer fans have to wait an extra year to watch Charlotte's Major League Soccer club take the field, but they no longer have to wait for a team name. The expansion club revealed its official name - Charlotte Football Club, which will also be called Charlotte FC or CLT FC - in addition to the team's new crest and colors today (Wednesday). The club's crest is a blue circle with a crown design in the middle, as a nod to Charlotte's "Queen City" nickname. The crown has four points to signify the four historic wards of Charlotte. The design also includes the team motto, "Minted 2022," in reference the city's financial history and is in the shape of a circular coin. Fans and players will have to wait until the 2022 season to see the uniforms in action after MLS announced last Friday that the club's original 2021 start date would be postponed a year due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. |
Vote for N.C. tours for Best Adventures
North Carolina has several tour operators among the nominations for 10Best's Readers' Choice Awards categories for Best Adventures. Online voting by readers is now open via USAToday.com; click on the hyperlink to vote. Voting ends Aug. 17 at noon. |
'Coronavirus tourism done right: a visit to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville' MSN.com's Lifestyle-Travel picked up an article by The Points Guy, "Coronavirus tourism done right: a visit to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville," which explained "Here's how America's largest home is taking the right approach to reopening as the coronavirus pandemic continues." The article noted "The estate's extensive page on reopening reassured us that significant, concrete steps were being taken to minimize our risk of contracting COVID-19 on the grounds." Steps Biltmore was and is taking were highlighted, ranging from required reservations to limited capacity, mandatory and enforced face masks-wearing to markers for social distancing. In addition, the dedication of the employees to adhere to these measures was spotlighted. |
Condé Nast Traveler features Emerald Isle, The Longleaf Hotel
 | |
Condé Nast Traveler has a new column, "How I Did It," in which the publication dives into what it takes to pull off a pandemic-era vacation. Last Friday, the column explained "How We Planned a Multigenerational Beach Trip to Emerald Isle." The article noted how the extended family planned meals in advance and "brought all of our own beach chairs, umbrellas, and boogie board... On the beach, we collected seashells, swam, read, and someone was always napping in the sun. After coming from such a densely populated city like New York, where there's no choice but to wear masks wherever you go, it was such a relief to be on a wide, open beach where the next stranger was at least 50 yards away. We had read up on bubbling for a trip like this, and all our prep work made it possible to hang up our masks while at our homebase, and hug constantly." In a separate article, Condé Nast Traveler included The Longleaf Hotel in Raleigh in its "On Your Next Road Trip, Stay at a Classic Motor Lodge," explaining "From coast to coast, America's classic motor court motels - a staple of 1950s American life, when the Interstate system was still freshly paved - have been renovated and retrofitted for the Instagram age, and this summer they're ready for their closeup." Of The Longleaf's inclusion, the article noted "Named after North Carolina's soaring Longleaf pine, this modern reincarnation of a 1960s Travelodge is a reason to get on the road. The Longleaf's 56 cushy rooms feature pillow-top mattresses, shibori-dyed textiles, and Malin+Goetz bath products; curl up in a velvet banquette at the Longleaf Lounge, the property's own bar and restaurant, while sipping a signature vermouth cocktail... And if you're itching to stretch your legs, the hotel is located just a few blocks from many of downtown Raleigh's top sites." |
For the week of July 23, "North Carolina Weekend" spotlights "arts around the state." Features include the Tiffany Glass Exhibit at Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem; the Blue Ridge Craft Trails around Hendersonville; the glass scene in Asheville; the National Tea Pot Show at Cedar Creek Gallery in Creedmoor; Sawtooth School for Visual Art in Winston-Salem; and Studio 32 in Sunbury. (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. |
|
|
|
|
