Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC Partners - June 20, 2024
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC’s Taylor, English at TTRA International
* N.C.-filmed ‘The Exorcism’ open in theaters tomorrow
Visit NC’s Taylor, English at TTRA International
Visit NC's Marlise Taylor moderated the Destination Researchers roundtable session at TTRA's Annual International Conference, held last week in Burlington, Vt. That session, attended by about 100 tourism researchers, focused on a variety of topics, including workforce, lodging and international research. Taylor also presented results from the Retire NC study with NC State University’s Ann Savage; in addition, she participated in a session on emotional solidarity/sentiment research. Visit NC’s Ashton English participated in a data storytelling panel providing insights into Visit NC’s Outdoor NC initiative. Several other NC research colleagues from around the state joined approximately 400 TTRA members representing destinations and entities across the world.
NC-filmed ‘The Exorcism’ open in theaters tomorrow
The NC-filmed feature “The Exorcism” opens in theaters tomorrow (Friday). Before filming in Wilmington in 2019 under the name "The Georgetown Project," the movie was awarded a NC Film and Entertainment Grant. It had a direct in-state spend of more than $13.1 million while creating more than 700 job opportunities. The horror/thriller stars Russell Crowe, Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, and David Hyde Pierce; the film is about a troubled actor who begins to exhibit disruptive behavior while shooting a horror film. View the movie’s trailer here.
Public input sought for NCDOT’s State Transportation Improvement Program
Now through July 17, the NC Department of Transportation is accepting public input on what the public would like to see in NCDOT’s draft 10-year transportation plan for 2026-2035
. Public comment can be submitted by taking a short online survey. Project priorities can be as large-scale as an interstate improvement or as small as a new turn lane or intersection improvement. Priorities can be for any type of transportation, including highways, aviation, bicycle & pedestrian, ferry, public transportation and rail. Local planning organizations across the state also submit projects to be scored.
Surveys, Marketing & Travel Trends
2024 Outdoor Participation Trends Report – The 2024 Outdoor Participation Trends Report
is now available. Key findings noted that, in 2023, the outdoor recreation participant base grew 4.1 percent to a record 175.8 million participants, amounting to 57.3 percent of the U.S. population. The number of participants increased across demographics – including gender, ethnic/race and age – and activities as new, more casual participants began hiking, biking, camping, running and fishing. In 2023, 7.7 million Americans tried one or more outdoor recreation activities for the first time. However, while the number of participants increased, the frequency of participation remained relatively flat. One conclusion noted efforts to better segment the outdoor participation base as it transitions to more diverse, more casual base of participants will help the industry better
understand participants who approach outdoor recreation with more relaxed attitudes and expectations.
For more than 15 years, the Outdoor Participation Trends Report has served as the most trusted and comprehensive source of insights and narratives around who's doing what, when and how outdoors. The Outdoor Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Outdoor Industry Association, funds the research.
State of the Short-Term Rental Industry Report – The 2024 State of the Short-Term Rental Industry Report has been released by Rent Responsibly. The purpose of this study was to glean new insights that support strategic decision-making of both STR operators and local governments, from how to collaborate on effective community management programs to how to operate more responsible private accommodations.
Key findings among Local Economic Impact: - Locally owned and operated businesses were supported by 94.6 percent of the respondents via purchases and referrals, and the most common amenity hosts offer to their guests is personalized recommendations to local restaurants, attractions, and activities. - Most STR operators (75 percent) catered primarily to families, followed by wellness travelers, public event attendees, and corporate travelers. - 68 percent of managers employed full-time employees, and 72 percent employed part-time employees. - A majority of government officials rank tourism as important to their local economies, and government officials rank guest spending as highly important to their jurisdiction, second only to property values. Furthermore, elected officials often cited the amount of guest spending driven by STRs as data that helps inform policy decisions.
Other key findings looked at Housing, Current STR Regulations, Local STR Policymaking and Small-Business Industry. Expanding on the inaugural 2022 study, the 2024 State of the Short-Term Rental Industry Report by Rent Responsibly and the College of Charleston is the largest study of its kind exploring the short-term rental (STR) industry and the local STR regulatory landscape across the U.S.
Future of Consumer Industry report – Deloitte has released its Future of Consumer Industry
report. Noting travel is wired for slow change, each sector of travel contends with legacy systems that can stymie nimble innovation. These structural impediments to change have collided with major disruption over the past two decades: shifts in who travels, where they stay, and how they book. The changing consumer, an evolving society and culture, exponential xTech, radical industry upheaval, extreme climate change, and shifting economics, policy and power are six forces the report identifies, noting these economic, social and technological paradigm shifts are pushing the travel industry toward potential seismic change.
For the week of June 20, "North Carolina Weekend” offers “Vintage Carolina.” Featured segments include Thompson’s Store and M.A. Pace General Store in Saluda; Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum in Maggie Valley; Piece of France Pastry Shop Cafe in Greenville; V & E Simonetti Historic Tuba Collection in Durham; and Andia’s Ice Cream in Cary and Raleigh. (Check local listings, as 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
July 16-18 – Destinations International Annual Convention, Tampa, Fla.
July 21-23 – AENC Annual Meeting, Cherokee Aug. 9-13 – SYTA Annual Conference, New York City, N.Y. Aug. 10-13 – ASAE Annual Meeting, Cleveland, Ohio Aug. 11-13 – US Travel Assn’s ESTO, Columbus, Ohio Aug. 18-20 – Destination Southeast, Point Clear, Ala. Aug. 22-23 – MPI-Carolinas Chapter Meeting, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Aug. 27-29 – Connect Sports Marketplace, Milwaukee, Wis. Aug. 27-30 – NCMA-VMA-MCASC Regional Meeting, Williamsburg, Va.
Visit North Carolina is part of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
150 Fayetteville St., Ste 1200, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601, United States
