Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners, June 16, 2021 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit North Carolina promotes group travel to N.C. at ABA Marketplace OnDemand * Tuttell presents certificate of appreciation to Beasley on her retirement * $28.6 billion added to U.S. economy, $1.3 billion to N.C.'s in 2020 due to National Park visitation * ‘Greening N.C. Tourism with Sustainable Hospitality’ webinar tomorrow |
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Visit North Carolina promotes group travel to N.C. at ABA Marketplace OnDemand The American Bus Association (ABA) Meeting and Marketplace, one of the premier industry events for group travel, was held virtually this year. Visit NC's Amanda Baker took more than 40 pre-scheduled appointments during the May and June Marketplace OnDemand. These qualified leads are available now. For more information on Visit NC's group travel program, such as ways to attract this market to a particular destination, contact Amanda Baker at (919) 447-7765 |
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Visit NC’s Wit Tuttell was among the many who gathered this past Saturday to celebrate Jean Beasley on her retirement. Tuttell presented Beasley, founder of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City,with a certificate of appreciation. In his remarks, Tuttell said, “Beasley’s efforts have made the coast of North Carolina a favorite for turtle fans around the world. You can’t underestimate the impact she has had on visitation to the state.” Read the coverage by WWAY-TV here. |
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Research shows one-third of American travelers expect a lifestyle change as a result of the pandemic
Nearly a third of American travelers expect to experience a lifestyle change as a result of the pandemic, accordingly to the most recent research from Destination Analysts. Travelers report that they expect to make changes in terms of a healthier work/life balance, spending more time with family, being more mindful of their self-care and spending more time with friends. Americans plan to travel more, focus on outdoor activities and practice travel sustainability. |
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The desire to travel more coincides with an increase in openness to travel information and excitement to travel in the near terms. Additionally, those who feel unsafe traveling now have reached a pandemic low this week to just 15.7 percent of American travelers. Interest in domestic trips has increased. Nearly three-fourths of American travelers who were more interested in international travel pre-pandemic now say that the situation has made them more open to traveling within the U.S. |
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Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. |
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$28.6 billion added to U.S. economy, $1.3 billion to N.C.'s in 2020 due to National Park visitation North Carolina was #2 among the Top 15 States by Visitor Spending, behind only California. In 2020, 17.9 million park visitors spent an estimated $1.3 billion in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in North Carolina. These expenditures supported a total of 20.6 thousand jobs, $665 million in labor income, $1.1 billion in value added, and $2.0 billion in economic output in the North Carolina economy. The report shows that the Mountains' three national park units - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (including Tenn.), the Blue Ridge Parkway (including Va.) and Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site – hosted more than 26.14 million visitors. These travelers spent more than $2.1 billion, supporting more than 30,300 local jobs.
The one Piedmont region national park unit - Guilford Courthouse National Military Park - welcomed 186,000 visitors, who spent $11.1 million, supporting 174 local jobs.
The report for the Coast region showed nearly 3.6 million visitors to Cape Lookout National Seashore, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Moores Creek National Battlefield and Wright Brothers National Memorial. Visitors spent nearly $224 million, supporting 3,213 local jobs. |
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Piney Knob Trail System in Murphy joins National Trails System In celebration of National Trails Day on June 5, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced 10 new national recreation trails, including one in North Carolina. Per the National Park Service on N.C.’s new addition to its National Recreation Trails, "The Piney Knob Trail System [in Murphy] consists of 13.5 miles of recreational hiking and mountain biking trails. All trails are dirt single-track trails and built in accordance with International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) standards, which provide for an excellent recreation experience." |
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ECU's Sustainable Energy & Environmental Engineering is presenting a Sustainable Solutions Summer Webinar Series, meant to connect N.C. industries to resources and sustainable solutions. The first session, "Greening N.C. Tourism with Sustainable Hospitality," is tomorrow (Thursday), 1:30-4 pm. Click here to register for the free tourism-related session or any of the other webinars, which are geared toward business and industrial sustainability. The webinars will be recorded and should be posted online at a later date. |
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Rocky Mount Mills featured in 'A Second Life for North Carolina’s Shuttered Factories' The New York Times‘ Business section included Rocky Mount Mills in its “A Second Life for North Carolina’s Shuttered Factories.” The article explained, “Rocky Mount Mills, a big cotton mill that had given the town its identity, had shut down in 1996, costing the area hundreds of jobs. Downtown was deserted. Nobody was hiring. Now, the mill is a bustling complex with restaurants and breweries. It has a small hotel composed of tiny houses on wheels, a wide lawn where concerts regularly take place and a Wiffle ball field. Since 2013, Rocky Mount Mills’ current owner, Capitol Broadcasting Company, has redeveloped the site, giving it a dynamic atmosphere with stores and residences. Its leaders are aiming to create a sense of community that will entice out-of-town businesses and workers to settle there, raising the town’s economic prospects and spurring more growth.” EDPNC CEO Chris Chung is quoted in the piece, noting, “A lot of these communities have the best chance they’ve had in a while to recruit individuals to take advantage of much more affordable housing prices and the other amenities that are there. This seems like a unique moment to realize the gains.” |
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‘North Carolina Weekend’
For the week of June 17, "North Carolina Weekend" showcases sites in “Classic Carolina.” Segments feature the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy; Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutualin Cherokee; Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington; The Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville; and "The Lost Colony" outdoor drama in Manteo. (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. |
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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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NewsLink is a publication of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina 150 Fayetteville St., Suite 1200, Raleigh, NC 27601 |
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