Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners, May 12, 2021 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE: * Visit NC’s virtual Canadian media mission a resounding success * Western N.C. frescoes receive notable coverage due to efforts from PR team, partners * North Carolina ‘at’ Visit USA Virtual Media Marketplace - U.K. |
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Visit NC’s virtual Canadian media mission a resounding success Last week, in conjunction with its extended PR team in Toronto, Visit NC hosted a successful virtual media mission featuring six destinations from across the state. All 27 confirmed media guests attended and stayed engaged throughout the event. The Visit NC team had provided a gift box of items beforehand to whet the interest of the media representatives, which included top national outlets such as The Globe and Mail, Toronto Sun, Postmedia, Toronto Star, Reader's Digest Canada, Zoomer, and Canadian Geographic Travel. During the event, Visit NC’s PR Manager Margo Metzger interviewed six DMO PR specialists about highlights and news in their destinations, including Brevard, Brunswick Islands, Johnston County, Outer Banks, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem. The Q&A session that followed yielded many queries and opportunities for follow-up. The immediate feedback on the event was positive from partners and media alike. Visit NC has already developed custom itineraries for two of the media attendees. Feedback from the media attendees was overwhelmingly positive, including: “While it's in my head... just wanted to let you know that webinar was really well done. Probably one of the best ones I've attended in the past year. Of course the treats were lovely and are a great incentive, bit the content was equally engaging" On the travel guide included in the gift box: "I actually read that visitor's guide and got a ton of good ideas from it, too. The writing in that mag was excellent. The editor and in-house or freelance writers NC uses for it should be commended.” " Really appreciate all the effort you put into the session. Once borders reopen this is something I hope to pitch out to PostMedia.” |
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Western N.C. frescoes receive notable coverage due to efforts from PR team, partners Artist Ben Long’s frescoes in Western North Carolina are featured on the front of The Washington Post’s Sunday Travel section and online as the result of a media visit coordinated by Visit NC’s PR team with arrangements by destination partners. “Following a trail of frescoes in the mountains of North Carolina” picks up the Benjamin F. Long IV Fresco Trail from Morganton to Montreat, Crossnore, West Jefferson, Glendale Springs, and Wilkesboro. The writer contacted the PR team in March 2020 with a request for assistance with routing, local connections and information for a trip she was planning for the following week. With generous partner support, the writer was not only able to see all the frescoes; she also got to meet with local experts, who added details and anecdotes to the account. Partners also arranged for the writer to speak with the artist. Amid the first wave of COVID-19, the Post shelved the story for more than a year. The newly published narrative opens with the writer learning about the trail while viewing Christopher Holt’s fresco at the Haywood Street mission in Asheville, then continues with her journey across Western North Carolina. Information about the artform and Long’s methods enrich the story, as do details about individual frescoes and their creation. The print edition of Sunday’s Washington Post has a circulation of 382,747; Washingtonpost.com attracts 43 million unique monthly viewers. |
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North Carolina ‘at’ Visit USA Virtual Media Marketplace - U.K. The Visit North Carolina team had a significant presence last week during USA Media Marketplace-United Kingdom. Visit NC’s U.K. representatives were joined by Visit NC’s Margo Metzger for a series of informative and productive appointments with some of the U.K.’s leading editors, journalists and freelancers. There was a huge appetite to visit and cover the Tar Heel State once travel restrictions ease. Efforts now will focus on developing conversations into media activity for the coming year. |
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Research shows travelers researching travel ideas but planning more carefully The sentiment towards the safety of travel remains strong this week, reported Destination Analysts. Three-quarters of American travelers have confidence they can travel safely right now, and a record-high 41 percent say that they will not wait until the pandemic is over to resume travel. Travelers are highly open to travel inspiration right now, and nearly 35 percent researched travel ideas in the last week. |
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Despite the positive steps forward with regards to excitement to travel and interest in travel marketing, travelers’ long-term attitudes and behaviors are expected to continue to be affected by the pandemic. Compared to their pre-pandemic selves, three-quarters of American travelers say they are more safety conscious, 45 percent say they are more budget conscious, and 58 percent say they worry about things that can go wrong while traveling. |
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Other changes to traveler behaviors because of the pandemic are more positive. American travelers report they are now planning travel more carefully, are seeking travel experiences that will allow them to be closer to nature, visit family and friends, and enjoy outdoor recreation. |
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Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. |
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N.C. Civil Rights Trail informational webinar tomorrow Tomorrow (Thursday), there will be an informational webinar on the N.C. Civil Rights Trail; the webinar will be at 10 a.m. Presented by the N.C. African American Heritage Commission, the webinar will cover the basics of the program, how to apply for a marker, marker placement, and more. Click here for information and to register. To learn more about the N.C. Civil Rights Trail, click here. Additional webinars are planned for June 10 at 12 noon, and July 8 at 6 p.m. |
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Vote for N.C. tours among ‘Best Adventure Tours’ North Carolina has several tours among the nominations for 10Best's Readers' Choice Awards categories for “Best Adventure Tours.” Online voting by readers is now open via USAToday.com; click on the hyperlink to vote. Voting ends June 7 at noon. |
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Final phase of Let’s Go There launches next Monday with all-new toolkit On May 17, U.S. Travel Association is launching the final phase of its Let's Go There campaign. With the launch comes a new, summer-inspired toolkit to unlock fresh ideas, plus inspiring resources and ready-made social copy and graphics. The campaign runs through June 4. |
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Memorial Day holiday travel to rebound to more than 37 million AAA Travel expects a significant rebound in the number of Americans planning to travel this Memorial Day holiday weekend. From May 27 through May 31, more than 37 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home, an increase of 60 percent from last year when only 23 million traveled. The expected strong increase in demand from last year’s holiday, which fell during the early phase of the pandemic, still represents 13 percent – or nearly 6 million – fewer travelers than in 2019. Auto travel is expected to increase 52 percent compared to 2020. In addition, more than 9 in 10 Memorial Day travelers will drive to their destinations, as many Americans continue to substitute road trips for travel via planes, trains and other modes of transportation. |
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N.C. Civil War Trails brochure back in stock Due to popular demand, the N.C. Civil War Trails brochure has been reprinted and is available again. The brochure is produced as part of the Civil War Trails program, a partnership that includes North Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Bulk order requests for the N.C. Civil War Trails brochure may be emailed to the Call Center’s Teresa Smith. The brochures come 200/box. Please include the name, physical address, phone number and number of boxes in the request. Visit NC’s André Nabors was recently appointed the Civil War Trail's board chair. The board serves to guide the Trails program forward as a tourism initiative. |
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‘North Carolina Weekend’
For the week of May 13, "North Carolina Weekend" showcases “Day Trips from Greensboro.” Segments feature a weekend in Greensboro; Glencoe Mill Village in Burlington; Haand Pottery in Burlington; and Goat Lady Dairy in Climax. (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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