Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners
June 6, 2018
IN THIS ISSUE:
* TRAC coming to Tarboro/Edgecombe 
County region next week
* Ocracoke among '20 Best Small Towns 
to Visit in 2018'
* Frontier Airlines adding nonstop flights 
from San Diego to RDU
A previous TRAC in Creedmoor
TRAC coming to Tarboro/Edgecombe County region next week
 
Next week, on Thursday,June 14, tourism-related businesses in Tarboro and Edgecombe County - plus the surrounding counties - will have an opportunity to work with Visit North Carolina staff to learn about its research, development and marketing services, and discuss best practices in reaching travelers, the media and increasing tourism visitation and spending. Visit North Carolina's Tourism Resource Assistance Center (TRAC) is a community-based training program designed to help small tourism-related businesses. TRAC will be held 10 am - 2 pm at the Tarboro Coffee House, 439 Main St. in Tarboro.
 
There is no charge to attend, no reservation is required, and there are no PowerPoint presentation. This is a come-when-you-can/stay-as-long-as-you'd-like event opportunity for all tourism-related businesses to meet one-on-one with program managers to discuss better ways to promote their property or event. TRAC brings Visit North Carolina's program managers to local communities to discuss the nuts and bolts of working with the organization. This invaluable program is designed to help tourism-related businesses engage more fully with programs offered by Visit North Carolina and its partners.
 
Representatives from the EDPNC's BLNC, N.C. Welcome Centers/Visitor Services, N.C. State Parks, Agritourism, and NC GreenTravel are often on hand to discuss services they can provide businesses, including strategic planning, assisting with identifying funding sources and serving as liaisons with other local, state and federal agencies. For additional information on this session or to learn more about scheduling a TRAC visit to your community, contact André Nabors  at (919) 447-7771.
Ocracoke among '20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2018'
 
Smithsonian.com included Ocracoke among its "20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2018." The recognition is the result of the Visit NC PR team's reactive pitching to the writer. In addition to mentioning Ocracoke's connection to Blackbeard and the annual Blackbeard's Pirate Jamboree, the online article noted, "Ocracoke Village centers around Ocracoke Harbor - known for its stunning waterfront sunsets - where boat charters offer fishing tours and sailing cruises. Along the waterfront, art galleries and specialty shops lure in onlookers with their colorful window displays, while a range of dining and drink establishments are spread both in and on the outskirts of town." The article also included notable attractions and dining sites.
Frontier Airlines adding nonstop flights from San Diego to RDU
 
Frontier Airlines is adding nonstop flights from San Diego International Airport to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The twice-weekly flights - on Wednesdays and Saturdays - is slated to start August 15.
World of Bluegrass festival staying in Raleigh through 2021
 
The International Bluegrass Music Association's weeklong bluegrass festival, conference and awards ceremony will return to Raleigh for three more years - through at least 2021. The announcement was made last Thursday. Last year's World of Bluegrass events - business convention, nightclub performances, awards show and "Wide Open Bluegrass" outdoor program - drew total estimated attendance of more than 221,000. That generated $11.7 million in direct visitor spending, according to the Greater Raleigh CVB. The five-year totals for World of Bluegrass are more than 856,000 in attendance and $48.8 million in direct visitor spending.
'Durham still a hit'
 
In its June issue, American Airlines inflight magazine, American Way, noted "Durham is still a hit" as part of its "Need to Know" section (pg. 29). The article examined how Durham pays tribute to the movie Bull Durham, including several celebrations. The article also offers a few suggestions of places to visit outside the old and newer Durham ballparks.
Hole Doughnuts N.C. designation for '50 states: 50 doughnut destinations'
 
As part of its "50 States" series, and for National Doughnut Day last Friday, USA Today selected Hole Doughnuts in Asheville as the North Carolina designation for its "50 states: 50 doughnut destinations." Of the selection, the photo gallery noted, "North Carolina's Hole Doughnuts hand makes yeast doughnuts in an open kitchen in Asheville. A seasonal flavor changes every week."
Surveys, Industry, Marketing & Travel Trends

Why luxury hotels spend so much time choosing bathroom amenities - Many often judge a hotel by the amenities it keeps. If a guest finds a bar of inexpensive soap and some flimsy unbranded, unopenable packets of shampoo, they know you've arrived at an ultra-budget hotel, reports Skift. On the other hand, should the likes of Acqua di Parma or Le Labo populate the counter, it's likely the guest is paying a pretty penny for the room. The process behind selecting bathroom amenities is an exercise in brand alignment, especially in the luxury space. One factor to consider include gender neutrality and packaging. "We think about gender purposefully," said a representative with Four Seasons. "We want something with a wide appeal... that not only is unisex but doesn't have an overpowering scent." Then, there's packaging. "We prefer packaging that is more reflective of the actual retail product. We also consider how bottles feel, how the product flows out of the bottle, how easy the screw cap is to open ... every aspect. Can you read the label without putting on your reading glasses?" Sofitel did a guest survey that found that 76 percent pay attention to the brand products. And in developing markets, the results showed a known brand is even more important. In today's environment, a discussion of bathroom amenities isn't complete without bringing up the matter of dispensing with small bottles altogether. But most in the luxury space balk at bulk.

TTC announces commitment to eliminate all single-use plastics by 2022­ - In order to continue to ensure that the environment remains vibrant for generations to come, The Travel Corporation (TTC) announced on World Environment Day (yesterday, June 5) that over the next five years it will phase out all single-use plastics from its extensive collection of travel and tourism companies. Under the guidance of its not-for-profit TreadRight Foundation, TTC created a "Multi-Year Plastics Elimination Strategy" that kicks off with an immediate ban of more than 60 types of single-use plastic items such as straws, stir sticks, water bottles, plastic bags, and cutlery from TTC's 40 global offices across its portfolio of brands. In addition to its international brands, TTC's portfolio includes the Red Carnation Hotel Collection and Old Town theme park in Florida.
HVAC at sustainable hotels
 
Keeping customers cool at a hotel or other tourism destination during the heat of summer is of utmost importance. However, inefficient HVAC systems not only consume large amounts of energy but can leave customers uncomfortable and unsatisfied. Several no-cost and low-cost measures can also help reduce summer utility bills, such as using rooms with the lowest cooling needs first (e.g. north-facing rooms); regularly inspecting temperature settings and thermostat calibration; turning on exhaust and hood fans only when needed; regularly inspecting and cleaning or changing air filters; tuning up your HVAC equipment yearly; installing programmable thermostats; and sealing your heating and cooling ducts. If a HVAC system is more than 10 years old, consider upgrading to Energy Star qualified HVAC equipment. Visit EPA's Energy Star Heating & Cooling to find useful information, resources and listings of Energy Star qualified products. For more information regarding smart energy use in hotels, contact NC GreenTravel manager Tom Rhodes at (919) 707-8140.
For the week of June 7 on North Carolina Weekend, explore cycling around Mount Mitchell in Burnsville. Learn the story of the Albatross Fleet in Hatteras. Discover the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont. Explore Old Baldy and Bald Head Island. And see how the Reeves Theater in Elkin came to be. (Check local listings due to UNC-TV's special on-air fund-raising schedule.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by Visit North Carolina. In addition, UNC-TV has made recent editions of North Carolina Weekend available online.
In 2017, the average household trip expenditure by visitors to North Carolina was $600. The average trip expenditure for overnight visitors was $738. Daytrip parties to the state spent approximately $215 per visit. For more North Carolina visitor information, visit the Visitor Profile Studies, or contact Tourism Research Director Marlise Taylor at (919) 447-7748.
Upcoming Industry Meetings & Events

June 8 - NC Sports Association Quarterly Meeting, Atlantic Beach
June 13 - BRNHA Spring Meeting, Asheville
June 14 - Visit NC's TRAC, Tarboro
June 24-29 - STS Marketing College, Dahlonega, Ga.
June 26-28 - TTRA International Conference, Coral Gables, Fla.
July 19-20 - MPI-CC Meeting, Winston-Salem
July 21-23 - AENC Annual Meeting, Greenville
July 27 - Piedmont Triad DMO, High Point
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