Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners
July 8, 2020
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC Webinar next week 
*  Visit NC PR wins for NC beaches, 
The Umstead Spa 
* N.C. Resident Sentiment shows North Carolinians more likely to travel in-state,
* Research shows low interest in fall travel, 
residents still concerned about visitors
Visit NC Webinar next week offers 'Moving Forward Under the New Normal'

For next week's webinar, Visit NC offers "Moving Forward Under the New Normal." Visit NC will provide the latest on travel mindset research and its Recovery Campaign, as well as reports from two partner organizations: Family Forward NC and American Airlines. Family Forward NC will discuss their Rapid Response program that provides employers with support for family workplace issues during their return to work/retooling of their businesses. American Airlines will examine "Air Passenger Insights in the Age of COVID-19." The webinar will be 10 a.m. next Wednesday, July 15. Click here to register.
 
Recordings of past 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 NC beaches in the spotlight
 
Due to the efforts of Visit NC's PR team, Travel + Leisure offered "10 Best Beaches in North Carolina." The PR team worked with the writer to provide ideas, information and photography. The online article explained "With 300 miles of pristine coastline, it's no wonder North Carolina is one of the nation's top beach destinations. From quiet barrier islands to lively coastal cities and family-friendly destinations, North Carolina's beaches are perfect for your next summer vacation (though its sandy stretches are beautiful at any time of year). These spots offer stunning white-sand beaches, of course, but they're also home to historic sites, diverse wildlife, beautiful golf courses, and exciting water sports. We've rounded up the 10 best beaches in North Carolina for your next trip to the Tar Heel State, from Sunset Beach to Duck." The N.C. beaches spotlighted were Cape Lookout National Seashore, Nags Head, Duck, Hammocks Beach State Park, Carolina Beach, Ocracoke, Atlantic Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Sunset Beach and Bald Head Island.

The same writer also included the Outer Banks in T+L's "13 Best Weekend Beach Getaways in the U.S." Of the selection, the online slide show noted "The string of barrier islands that make up the Outer Banks in North Carolina are perfect when you need a heavy dose of sand and surf in a peaceful, quaint setting. Duck, North Carolina, is located just under five hours from Washington, D.C. by car, making it a great destination for a long weekend away from the nation's capital. The Outer Banks are also home to some of the best beaches in North Carolina - Nags Head, Cape Lookout National Seashore, and Ocracoke are just a handful of the destinations worth visiting in this scenic region."
Visit NC, Visit Raleigh PR works leads to The Umstead Spa in the spotlight
 
Work by Visit NC's PR team, in partnership with Visit Raleigh, has resulted in The Umstead Spa being featured in Spa & Beauty Today's "Spa Diary: The Umstead Spa at the Umstead Hotel and Spa." The PR team worked with Visit Raleigh, who arranged an experience for the writer at the spa. The article explained "Wherever you're coming from, a visit to the South is an invitation to slow down. The Umstead Hotel and Spa takes that to the next level in the most luxurious and relaxing way. Here, harried travelers can brake and take a break in the oasis of wellness and tranquility. Every corner of the 16,000-square-foot spa offers a new opportunity to replenish and de-stress." The article then proceeded to note "What you'll love about The Umstead Spa." Spa & Beauty Today reaches 29,000 unique monthly visitors, offering a modern lifestyle guide to spas, beauty, wellness and retreats.
Tuttell speaks to 'Charlotte Talks'
 
Visit NC's Wit Tuttell was a guest on WFAE radio's "Charlotte Talks" last week to discuss holiday travel leading up to the July 4 holiday weekend. Host Mike Collins noted tourism spending is down $6 billion due to the pandemic, including $200 million in state tax revenues. Tuttell explained some spots in the state have been devastated, regardless of whether they're in the mountains, piedmont or coast. He discussed Count On Me NC, explaining the campaign is for both businesses and residents. Businesses can take an online course that will certify and show they're making an effort to provide a safe environment to their guests. Individuals can take the pledge to show they're making an effort to be safe as they travel. Tuttell also noted that many communities are concerned about visitors coming into their area. Visit NC's first concern for anyone traveling is that they're doing so the right way. Tuttell encouraged travelers to do their research, such as calling ahead to see what a potential accommodations site is doing safety- and cleanliness-wise. In addition, he mentioned Outdoor NC, a program working to get travelers to visit the more rural areas of the state. Tuttell also noted VisitNC.com is a great resource for travel inspiration, as is Project 543.com.
N.C. Resident Sentiment shows North Carolinians more likely to travel in-state, approve wearing face masks
 
As North Carolina moved into the first phase of re-opening after the stay-at-home period, Visit NC initiated a study of residents with regards to the COVID-19 sentiment and the subsequent re-opening of the state to visitors. Working with MMGY Travel Intelligence, data was collected from a random sample of North Carolina residents, equally distributed across the three broad geographic regions of coast, piedmont and mountains. The study's intent was to examine the sentiment of residents for accepting visitors back into the state, safety measures essential for the commencement of travel, levels of interest for travel within the state by residents, change in travel behavior by residents as a result of COVID-19, and sentiment towards destination marketing.
 
Not surprisingly, study results indicate that as a result of COVID-19, North Carolinians are likely to avoid large cities and crowds. The use of face masks is by far the most essential safety activity for residents to feel comfortable traveling after COVID-19. Social distancing is also very important, but it is clear from the data that requiring face masks will go a long way in encouraging North Carolinians to travel.
 
Despite current concerns, 2 in 5 North Carolinians view tourism as extremely important to the recovery of the state's economy after COVID-19, with the strongest sentiment among residents of the mountains and coast.

Although residents view tourism as important to NC's recovery, they are still reluctant to travel themselves or to welcome travelers into their communities. However, nearly 30 percent of respondents say that COVID-19 has made them become more interested in vacationing within the state. Thus, North Carolinians are going to be the target markets for many destinations across the state as we move forward towards recovery.
Despite their reluctance to travel, during the next three months, nearly 70 percent of N.C. residents say are likely to take a trip by car. And they will most likely go to destinations offering outdoor activities.
 
These results reflect data from the initial resident sentiment survey, which will be repeated at least two more times to track changes in sentiment. To view the full report, clickhere.
Research shows low interest in fall travel, residents still concerned about visitors
 
Concerns of contracting the virus and of friends and family contracting the coronavirus remain high this week. Seventy percent of American travelers in the most recent Destination Analysts study say they have concern about contracting the virus, up from last week and nearly 75 percent have concerns the health of friends and family. The outlook of travelers that the situation will improve over the next month also shifted more negative this week. Nearly two-thirds of American travelers expect the situation to get worse in the next month.


Only 14 percent of American travelers say they will take their next road trip in the next month, and only 21 percent are interested in visiting a new destination A further confirmation that optimism for travel is at its low point is that more than half of travelers, up significantly from last week, say that they are done traveling until the situation is over. Now only a third of travelers expect to travel this fall.

 
Recent research from Longwoods International also confirms negative outlook for the fall. Longwoods reports that three-fourths of American travelers are changing travel plans because of the virus and the percent who have travel plans in the next six months has dropped to 65 percent, the lowest level since early April.
 
Recent research also notes that support for opening communities to visitors has dropped. Longwoods reports that support for opening up to visitors is at its lowest since mid-May at 34 percent. Destination Analysts also reports that travelers in communities are largely unwanted.

 
 
Looking ahead, some things will not go back to the way they were even after the pandemic. The most recent Harris Poll suggests that travel is one of the activities that will be changed as we move forward. Harris reports that travel preferences will shift from convenience (flying) to safety (driving), and while Americans are still planning to travel once things return to "normal," three-fourths of Americans say their travel vacations will be different.
 
Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies.
N.C. hotels, destinations among World's Best winners
 
Travel + Leisure has announced the winners of its World's Best Awards 2020 and several N.C. sites and destinations are recognized. Among the Top 15 Resort Hotels in the South, Fearrington House Inn in Pittsboro was ranked #1, Old Edwards Inn & Spa in Highlands #3, The Greystone Inn in Lake Toxaway #7, and The Swag in Waynesville #9. Of the Top 15 Domestic Spas, Westglow Resort & Spa in Blowing Rock was #5. Asheville ranked #9 among the Top 15 Cities in the U.S. The Outer Banks was #14 among the Top 15 Islands in the Continental U.S. This year marked the 25th 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.
Falls Lake, Shearon Harris Lake among 'Best Southeastern Bass Lakes of the Decade'
 
Bassmaster magazine's Best Southeastern Bass Lakes of the Decade includes Falls Lake in Durham, Granville and Wake counties and Shearon Harris Lake in Chatham and Wake counties. The annual list is meant to create "bucket-list destinations for bass anglers."
Bald Head Island, Jackson County among '15 Crowd-Free Summer Vacations You Can Book Last Minute'
 
Reader's Digest included Bald Head Island and Jackson County in its "15 Crowd-Free Summer Vacations You Can Book Last Minute." Of Bald Head, the article explained this "Car-free island, only accessible by passenger ferry, has always been a destination where social distancing is part of the experience. With 14-miles of white sand beach wrapping three sides of the island, 10,000 acres of protected natural spaces, private rental homes of all sizes, and alternate modes of transportation being the only way to get around the island, it's the perfect vacation for social distancing. Plus there are 14 miles of beach, an ancient maritime forest, miles of winding creek and marsh to explore, and a nesting sea turtles protection program to participate in." The article also noted "Jackson County is where to head when you want to get wet without getting hit with pool floaties. You'll trade traffic for off-the-beaten-track trails in a mountain oasis. You can take a hike to view stunning waterfalls, or, suit up for fishing excursions on the Western NC Fly Fishing Trail, the first and only fly-fishing trail in the United States, and perfect for a summer social distancing stay. Reserve a cabin or condo at Bear Lake Reserve where you can enjoy all the nature this summer and still have access to onsite dining options, a pool, and a golf course."
Scarlett new executive director for Heart of North Carolina VB
 
Amber Scarlett is the new executive director for the Heart of North Carolina VB/Randolph County TDA. She may be contacted at (336) 626-0364 x 102, or via amber.scarlett@heartofnorthcarolina.com.

Spencer new director for Person County TDA
 
Marley Spencer is the new director of the Person County TDA, effective July 1. She may be contacted at (336) 597-2689 or via personcountytda@personcounty.com.

Vote for N.C. hotels for America's Best Hotels

North Carolina has several hotels among the nominations for 10Best's Readers' Choice Awards categories for Best Hotels. Online voting by readers is now open via USAToday.com; click on the hyperlink to vote. Voting ends July 27 at noon.
 
Best Wellness Retreat/Resort - The Art of Living Retreat Center, Boone; Skyterra Wellness Retreat, Lake Toxaway
 
Best Eco-Friendly Hotel - Proximity Hotel, Greensboro; The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte
 
Best Hotel Restaurant - Herons, The Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary

Best Hotel Spa - The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Charlotte; The Spa at the Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville
For the week of July 9, "North Carolina Weekend" spotlights mountain towns. Features include downtown Lenoir, the Hendersonville area, the 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa in Lake Lure, Beech Mountain, Burnsville, and Lansing. (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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