Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners | July 29, 2020 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC webinar examines 'What's happening on The Hill (and Jones Street)'
* Virtual golf event for Canadians * SportsNC re-launches, features new, responsive design
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Visit NC webinar examines 'What's happening on The Hill (and Jones Street)' Visit NC's webinar today (Wednesday) examined the latest travel sentiment research, plus relief programs and proposals on both the federal and state levels. Visit NC's Wit Tuttell presented an update on the latest research, providing updates on the weekly traveler mindset regarding where travelers' perceptions are in variety of areas. Something new of interest was the results of what type of lodging a traveler would consider safest to stay or utilize - yet the results differed with what type of lodging a traveler said they would actually select. Sentiment continues to grow with the belief that people should wear face masks in public. More than 70 percent were Very Happy or Happy if a destination they wanted to visit required face masks for visitors and residents in public. In addition, Tuttell encouraged more participation in Count on Me NC, especially as Visit NC ramps up its efforts for the program. U.S. Travel Association's Erik Hansen started with a look at the economic impact of travel in 2019, then looked at the latest numbers and how COVID-19 has impacted travel. Hansen noted the percentage of losses of tourism-related jobs is worse than overall unemployment during the Great Depression, summarizing that "While the economy is in the midst of a Recession, the travel industry is in a Depression." Regarding the next stimulus legislation that Congress is considering, Hansen looked at six priorities that U.S. Travel Association is tackling. N.C. Travel & Tourism Coalition's Kara Weishaar and N.C. Travel Industry Association's Jason Joyner addressed state-level relief efforts and offered a N.C. Legislative Update. Weishaar noted in SB 212, the N.C. General Assembly provided a permanent definition of a "year-round school." She also mentioned HB 118, which provided limited liability to businesses regarding COVID-19. They also expressed their thoughts on how the effects of COVID-19 will affect the N.C. General Assembly and the state's budget, both currently and in the next few years. For next week's webinar, Visit NC will showcase the Count On Me NC Toolkit, which contains marketing and related materials available for partner use. An update on the COMNC campaign and the latest in traveler sentiment will also be presented. The webinar will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Click here to register. |
Visit North Carolina, CVB for the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area, Pinehurst Resort host virtual golf event for Canadians
Earlier this month, the Visit NC Canada team partnered with the CVB for the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area and Pinehurst Resort to promote North Carolina golf to Canadian travel trade, media and consumers. The virtual program included updates from both the Pinehurst region and Pinehurst Resort as well as an interactive lesson with Eric Alpenfels, director of Pinehurst's Golf Academy. More than 160 participants registered for the event and three prizes were given away, including a private 30-minute virtual lesson with Alpenfels, as well as stay-and-play package for future travel to the Pinehurst area.
If you would like to learn more about international marketing opportunities, contact Heidi Walters. |
SportsNC.com relaunches, features new, responsive design
The newly redesigned SportsNC.com re-launched last week, continuing its role as North Carolina's resource for sports event planners. It is designed to attract sports rights holders to the state while connecting them with the N.C. destinations that fits their goals. The new, responsive design provides sports event planners easy access to partners across the state that will make their athletic events a success. SportsNC is North Carolina's statewide sports development effort dedicated to maintaining and strengthening its rich sports legacy. For more information on SportsNC, contact Amanda Baker. |
'To safely reopen, facilities throw rules out the window and embrace creativity'
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As they reopen, public spaces and private institutions around the world are finding clever ways to create and enforce social distancing, reports The Washington Post in its "To safely reopen, facilities throw rules out the window and embrace creativity." Masking tape floor markings might work in the checkout line at the grocery store, but when it comes to the arts and the outdoors, it's becoming clear that the creative thinkers will inherit the new normal. The article notes one museum is now offering both walk-through and drive-through for an exhibition viewing. Some theatres are removing a portion of the audience seats. In some cities, entire urban landscapes are being transformed to allow restaurant patrons to spread out outdoors. New York City plans to open 100 miles of streets to pedestrians and diners, including the parking spots that line sidewalks. Cities in Oregon fast-tracked legislation to open sidewalks for outdoor dining. In Bend, the city council approved the right to "close all or portions of city streets, alleys and parking lots" to increase outdoor dining space. Vilnius, Lithuania, has opened historic public spaces such as town squares throughout the city for socially distanced dining. |
Research shows American travelers have little interest in actually traveling, but increased interest in learning about travel experiences Research this week into stress levels of American travelers tells us that nearly half report higher degrees of daily stress right now. According to Destination Analysts, this stress clearly affects the ability to enjoy travel right now. Nearly two-thirds of American travelers agree that if they were to travel for leisure right now, they would not be able to fully enjoy it and nearly half report that they have lost their interest in travel for the time being. |
However, despite the loss of interest to travel right now, American travelers displayed a higher interest in learning about new, exciting travel experiences this week than last week. The proportion of American travelers who are excited about travel information increased from 37 percent last week to 45 percent this week. As well, a higher proportion of respondents to this week's research agree that they expect to travel this fall, up to 38 percent this week from 34 percent last week. When Americans do get back on the road to travel, the impact of the virus will affect travel choice. More than 60 percent of travelers note that they will be less interested in a travel destination that has had difficulty managing the Coronavirus situation.
Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. |
August brings 'Cheese, please!'
The August issue of Our State magazine features a photo essay to "Meet the Farmers & Makers of Incredible Local Cheeses." "Downtown" tours Waxhaw; "Getaway" checks out River's Edge Treehouse Resort in Robbinsville; and "Winery" visits Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery in Elizabethtown. The August issue is available now. |
For the week of July 30, "North Carolina Weekend" spotlights the "best of Bob Garner." Features include Fish Bites in Wilmington; Redneck BBQ Lab in Benson; Merritt's Grill in Chapel Hill; S & T's Soda Shoppe in Pittsboro; Sweet Potatoes in Winston-Salem; and Burrito Bros in Marion. (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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