| Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners | March 11, 2020 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Update on COVID-19
* Travel leaders echo experts: Make fact-based decisions about traveling
* Visit NC 365's Monday reception to feature 'The Great Gatsby' theme; cancellation policy
for 'high risk' registrants |
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Gov. Roy Cooper on Tuesday (yesterday) declared a State of Emergency for North Carolina due to COVID-19. According to the Governor, "The main purpose of declaring a State of Emergency is increased flexibility to respond and prevent as well as to allocate funds where needed." The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and the Governor have not made any recommendation to cancel any mass gathering or event. Events like the Visit NC 365 Conference in Asheville and the ACC Basketball Tournament in Greensboro are still being held. However, people who are planning to attend large gatherings but who are sick or are in the "high risk" category should not do so. NCDHHS recommends everyone continue taking precautions to protect themselves and others from the spread of respiratory illnesses, which includes COVID-19. For more details, including updates for the state's response, click here. The Visit NC 365 Conference in Asheville, March 22-24, is still taking place. Both NCDHHS and the Governor have not made any recommendation to cancel any mass gathering or events. Visit NC and its partners at the Omni Grove Park Inn are instituting as many best practices as possible to ensure the health of all participants at the conference. Based on the current advice from the NCDHHS, Visit NC has developed a cancellation policy for partners who have signed up to attend the conference but who are sick or are in the "high risk" category. It is also allowing registrants who cannot attend to transfer their registration to someone else in their organization who can attend. Registrants should contact the Solution Center's Angela Rizzo to cancel their registration and qualify for our new refund or transfer their registration to someone else. Their registration will be fully refunded, minus the $50 registration processing fee.
Visit North Carolina will do its best to convey the most up-to-date information to partners and visitors on an on-going basis. If you have not been receiving Visit NC's COVID-19 statement emails and would like to do so, please contact Kathy Prickett and she will add you to the list. |
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Travel leaders echo experts: Make fact-based decisions about traveling
A coalition of 150 travel-related organizations, including the U.S. Travel Association, Visit North Carolina and N.C. Restaurant & Lodging Assn., has issued a statement offering "Make Fact-Based Decisions About Traveling. " It concerns the latest developments about the coronavirus and safety concerns but also a reminder "for the overwhelming majority, it's OK to live, work, play and travel in the U.S." The statement reads: "For the travel and hospitality industry, the safety of the traveling public, our guests and our employees is of the utmost importance. We are in daily contact with public health authorities and are acting on the most up-to-date information on the evolving coronavirus situation. "Health and government officials have continually assured the public that healthy Americans can 'confidently travel in this country.' While it's critically important to remain vigilant and take useful precautions in times like these, it's equally important to make calm, rational, and fact-based decisions. "Though the headlines may be worrisome, experts continue to say the overall coronavirus risk in the U.S. remains low. At-risk groups are older individuals and those with underlying health conditions, who should take extra precautions. "The latest expert guidance indicates that for the overwhelming majority, it's OK to live, work, play and travel in the U.S. By seeking and heeding the latest expert guidance - which includes vigorous use of good health practices, similar to the preventive steps recommended for the seasonal flu - America's communities will stay strong and continue to thrive. The decision to cancel travel and events has a trickle-down effect that threatens to harm the U.S. economy, from locally owned hotels, restaurants, travel advisors and tour operators to the service and frontline employees who make up the backbone of the travel industry and the American economy. "We are mindful of a guiding principle that long predates this current public health situation: without the safety and security of travelers, there can be no travel. The travel industry will maintain lines of contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, and will remain vigilant for any changes. Collectively, we are taking enhanced steps to ensure both the safety of travelers, guests and our own employees." Read the statement and view the supporting travel-related organizationshere.
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| | An opening reception at a previous Visit NC 365 | |
Visit NC 365's Monday reception to feature 'The Great Gatsby' theme; cancellation policy for 'high-risk' registrants
Visit NC respects the seriousness of the coronavirus and the complexities that organizations and governments now face in combating this virus. While we are continuing to monitor the situation, we are also still actively planning all Visit NC 365 Conference events. Visit NC and its partners at the Omni Grove Park Inn are instituting as many best practices as possible to ensure the health of all participants at the conference. The 2020 Visit NC 365 Conference finds the return of a popular gathering: a reception for all attendees on Monday night. The Monday, March 23, "The Great Gatsby"-themed event will be in the new Arts & Crafts-inspired Seely Pavilion, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville. Start now thinking about your attire to bring alive the Roaring '20s and the Jazz Age. This reception is in addition to the traditional opening Sunday night reception but offers a better chance for attendees to network and "catch-up" since everyone will have arrived for the conference. Online registration is open for Visit NC 365.
As mentioned earlier in the first story, Visit NC has developed a cancellation policy for partners who have signed up to attend the conference but who are sick or are in the "high risk" category. We are also allowing registrants who cannot attend to transfer their registration to someone else in their organization who can attend. Registrants should contact the Solution Center's Angela Rizzo to cancel their registration and qualify for our new refund or transfer their registration to someone else. Their registration will be fully refunded, minus the $50 registration processing fee. |
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Group tour operators, media learn about N.C. during Domestic Showcase
Visit North Carolina and many industry partners from the Coast, Piedmont and Mountain regions of the state attended Travel South Domestic Showcase this week in Baton Rouge, La. They met with domestic group tour operators and media to increase interest in group travel to North Carolina. This regional appointment-style marketplace focused on increasing travel to and within the southern states. Visit NC's Amanda Baker met with 24 tour operators. Participating partners were Explore Asheville CVB with Biltmore and Asheville Outlets; Burlington/Alamance County VB; Billy Graham Library; Cabarrus County CVB; Crystal Coast TA; Jackson County TDA; Heart of NC VB, Kersey Valley Attractions; Hilton Garden Inn Outer Banks Kitty Hawk; Holiday Inn Express & Suites Mebane and Sleep Inn and MainStay Suites of Wilmington; Johnston County VB; Lexington TA; NASCAR Hall of Fame; Nash County T&T; Haywood County TDA; Outer Banks Days Inn; Outer Banks VB; Visit Winston-Salem with Historic Brookstown Inn; Mooresville CVB; Meadowlark Motel; and the National Black Theatre Festival. On Tuesday, Mrs. Hanes' Handmade Moravian Cookies and Alamance Kaffee Werks coffee were enjoyed by attendees as part of the Tastes & Tunes of the South. 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. |
D.C. Travel & Adventure Show sees strong interest in N.C.
This past weekend, Visit NC attended the Travel & Adventure Show in Washington, D.C., partnering with the Outer Banks VB, Boone TDA, Greenville-Pitt County CVB, Johnston County VB, Lexington TA, Ocracoke C&BA, Crystal Coast TDA, and Rockingham County TDA. The booth had solid traffic throughout the consumer travel show, which saw an attendance of more than 11,000. Visit NC will be developing a schedule for 2021 Travel & Adventure Shows in the coming months. These shows offer additional opportunities for Visit NC - and its interested partners - to promote travel to North Carolina to potential visitors who are actively looking for travel suggestions and information. Partners interested in participating in any of the 2021 shows should contact André Nabors at (919) 447-7771. |
| | | Visit NC's Canadian team's Iliana Wagner (lf) with the gift basket winner (ctr) and her friend |
Canadians at travel show eager to learn about North Carolina
Visit NC's Canada team participated in the annual Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show in Toronto last month. The show saw close to 28,000 outdoor enthusiasts eager to plan their next adventure getaway. Visitors to the North Carolina booth were given Buffs, sunglass cases and updates on amazing adventure activities across the state. More than 100 attendees signed up for the gift basket giveaway, provided by the Crystal Coast TA. To learn more about Visit NC's international marketing opportunities, contact Heidi Walters at (919) 447-7762. |
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Get help planning National Travel & Tourism Week with toolkit
This year's National Travel & Tourism Week, May 3-11, has the theme "Travel Works." Travel and tourism professionals from across the nation work throughout National Travel & Tourism Week to promote the impactful contributions their travel markets and organizations make to the U.S. economy. The travel community marks the event in a number of creative ways, from staging local rallies and conducting media outreach to securing proclamations and resolutions from local governments. Travel is a primary industry in America. In addition to promoting the whole week in regard to the importance of travel, Tuesday, May 5, is Travel Rally Day. U.S. Travel Association offers a toolkit, with resources such as ways to salute travel, suggestions for a successful Travel Rally Day, and samples for a proclamation, press release, social media guide, talking points, and blog post. This year, there's also a social media themed calendar so each day of NTTW can highlight a different reason Travel Matters. DMOs can even put their NTTW observances on the NTTW Event Map. U.S. Travel Association also offers an online webinar for planning ease and inspiration. |
N.C. towns, hotels and more among 'The South's Best'
Southern Living has released the results of its fourth annual The South's Best, a digital survey that garnered "tens of thousands" of responses. The Inn on Biltmore Estate in Asheville ranked #1 among Best Resorts, with the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville #2. Best Historic Hotels included Greystone Inn in Lake Toxaway at #11. The Blue Ridge Parkway, in N.C. and Va., was #1 among Best Scenic Drives, with NC Highway 12 at Cape Hatteras National Seashore #8. |
Surf City's sea turtles part of 'Out & About' for embracing spring
In the April issue of Martha Stewart Living, the "Out & About" section included Surf City and sea turtles among ways to embrace spring. The section explained for Surf City, "Join the volunteer squad at this sea turtle sanctuary before sunrise, and help shield new nests from predators. On warm nights, look out for hatchlings waddling to the ocean."
The website for the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rehabilitation & Rescue Center was also included. Martha Stewart Living has a circulation of 2 million. |
The good feeling of surprise energy savings
There is always a feeling of surprised delight when cleaning couch cushions and loose change is found. That feeling of getting "free money" also occurs when energy saving measures are identified and implemented that result in operational cost savings. Many energy saving actions, like with energy saving LED exit signs or installing motion sensors on vending machines, have low initial costs and can start saving money within the first year of implementation. And the best part is these activities will continue to save money throughout the life of the product. However, it can be complicated to identify which energy saving measures will yield the best return on investment. To provide assistance, Waste Reduction Partners and the N.C. Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service can perform an on-site, technical review of a business's utility use and environmental practices, combining energy and water-use audits, solid waste recycling guidance, and other sustainability recommendations into one technical assessment. For more information, contact NC GreenTravel Initiative Manager Tom Rhodes at (919) 707-8140. |
| | For the week of March 12 on "North Carolina Weekend," explore The Moogseum in Asheville. Discover the Scottish Heritage Center, on the campus of St. Andrews University, in Laurinburg. Step back in time at the Rockford General Store in Dobson. And experience Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery in Farmville. (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.
| The top source of information for daytrip planning in North Carolina is personal experience, followed by friends/relatives, search engines, social networking and official destination websites. For more North Carolina visitor information, visit the Visitor Profile Studies, or contact Visit NC's Marlise Taylor at (919) 447-7748. |
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Upcoming Industry Meetings & Events
March 17 - Visit NC Travel & Tourism Board Meeting, Raleigh April 2 - Visit NC TRAC, Atlantic Beach April 20-23 - Sports ETA Symposium, Kansas City, Mo. May 12 - BRPA Annual Meeting, Roanoke, Va. May 15 - NC Coast Host Quarterly Meeting, Manteo May 19 - Visit NC Travel & Tourism Board Meeting, TBD |
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