Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners - May 17, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC’s Coastal film fam brings more wins with notable online articles
* Several audiences learn about Visit NC efforts
* 42.3 million Americans expected to travel for Memorial Day Weekend
Visit NC’sCoastal film fam brings more wins with notable online articles
Two prime placements extend the success of the Visit NC PR team’s recent film-focused media familiarization tour, which highlighted coastal locations for movie and TV projects. “With its small towns with big charms and diverse seaside backdrops, the state has become a beloved filming destination that has provided the setting for some of your all time favorite films and TV shows,” stated the intro to OK! Magazine’s “Lights, Camera, North Carolina: Explore The Stunning North Carolina Locations Of Your Favorite Film & TV Shows
." The article mentioned an assortment of titles as it highlighted settings and locations on the Outer Banks and in New Bern, Wilmington and Southport. OK! attracts 2.7 million unique monthly visitors.
In a new People.com post, a fam participant offered a question and response with “Where Does 'Outer Banks' Take Place? All the Show's References to Real North Carolina Locations
." Production for the Netflix series is based in South Carolina and its setting is defined as the fictional Kildare County, yet the series has its heart in real North Carolina settings, including Kill Devil Hills and Figure Eight Island with references to the Blue Devils-Tar Heel rivalry. The coverage is the second article from the writer, who detailed locations for the Prime Video series “The Summer I Turned Pretty” (view the article here). People.com attracts 55 million unique visitors per month.
NCBIWA learns about Visit NC
Last week, Visit NC's Heidi Walters spoke to the NC Beach, Inlet & Waterway Association’s Spring Meeting in Emerald Isle. Walters provided tourism impact numbers for 2022, as well as stewardship messaging through Outdoor NC, noting how the initiative drives sustainable tourism and helps encourage the protection of the state’s beaches, inlets and waterways. The association’s goal is to protect and preserve NC’s coastal communities through collaboration, education and knowledge.
Visit NC offers best practices, co-op marketing options to High Country Host
Visit NC's Scott Peacock, along with representatives from Luquire, were at the High Country Host Annual Meeting in Blowing Rock yesterday (Tuesday). The Visit NC team presented best practices on content planning and working with influencers. In addition, the team discussed the work Visit NC is doing and provided an update for its latest marketing campaign.
Visit NC recently unveiled its largest and most comprehensive co-operative marketing program ever. All North Carolina travel destinations and organizations are eligible to participate in these affordable co-op advertising and marketing programs. The cooperative programs are evaluated and selected based on their ability to effectively and efficiently reach North Carolina's target consumer. For more info on the programs, click here.
Tuttell shares insights, Visit NC successes in podcast
Visit NC's Wit Tuttell was recently interviewed on "Tourism Heads & Their Tales
," a podcast series hosted by Bob Gilbert of Eddy Alexander. Tuttell discussed Visit NC and how it works with the EDPNC for economic development; getting N.C. through the pandemic by working with partners, Count On Me NC, positive messaging to N.C. residents, and monitoring sentiment; Outdoor NC and helping people know how to best enjoy being outdoors; plus the importance of research and how it has been instrumental for Visit NC. The podcast invites travel and tourism leaders and influencers to share their take on key industry issues. Part One of the interview is available now, along with other podcast interviews, via links on the website.
Research offers closer look at Gen Z travelers
A recent report from Morning Consult notes that 52 percent of Gen Z are already frequent travelers, on par with Millennials, and destinations and travel brands must understand their unique travel behaviors and expectations.
Gen Z travelers are more likely to come from urban or suburban areas, with no one region of the U.S. standing out compared to another. Gen Z travelers are more likely to have lower incomes that other generations.
Travelers from this youngest generation are motivated by similar things to other generations, such as relaxation and spending time with loved ones, but these are less relevant. Gen Z travelers are more motivated than other generations to experience adventure, improve mental health, seek out cultural experiences and check items off of a bucket list. About one-fifth of them also are motivated by spending time on their own. More than half of Gen Z travelers note that they will visit a national park in the next year and 54 percent say they’ll go to a resort.
Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies.
42.3 million Americans expected to travel for Memorial Day Weekend
AAA projects 42.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Memorial Day weekend, a 7 percent increase compared to 2022. This year, 2.7 million more people will travel for the unofficial start of summer compared to last year, a sign of what’s to come in the months ahead. The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as the five-day period from Thursday, May 25 to Monday, May 29.
Memorial Day road trips are up 6 percent from last year; 37.1 million Americans will drive to their destinations, an increase of more than 2 million. Despite the lower prices at the pump, car travel this holiday will be shy of pre-pandemic numbers by about 500,000 travelers. Nearly 3.4 million travelers are expected to fly to their destinations this Memorial Day, that’s an increase of 11 percent from last year. Despite high ticket prices, demand for flights is skyrocketing. This Memorial Day weekend could be the busiest at airports since 2005.
Third hour of ‘Today’ features Lake Norman
For its “3rd Hour Today” that aired yesterday (Tuesday), the program’s Dylan Dreyer and her best friend spent a day at Lake Norman. The piece, sponsored by VRBO, showed the women enjoying tubing via a local charter boat on Lake Norman, lunch by a local caterer and onsite activities at the selected VRBO rental.
For the week of May 18, "North Carolina Weekend” highlights “Made Right Here.” Featured segments include Tryon Arts & Crafts School in Tryon; Barksdale Art in Burlington; STARworks in Star; Bolick & Traditions Pottery in Lenoir; and Hunting Boy Wood Carving in Robbinsville. (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.
Visit North Carolina is part of Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
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