Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners, May 19, 2021 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE: PR * Visit NC’s Canadian media webinar leads to Winston-Salem radio interview * Fox releases first look for N.C.-filmed “Welcome to Flatch’ * PR efforts lead to Beaufort in spotlight
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Visit NC’s Canadian media webinar leads to Winston-Salem radio interview As a result of the Visit NC PR team’s May 6 Canadian media webinar, Marcheta Cole Keefer of Visit Winston-Salem was featured in a 10-½ minute segment of “The Informed Traveller,” a radio show that airs in Western Canada. Interest centered on Graylyn and extended to Old Salem, Reynolda House Museum of American Art, the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art and other attractions. The number of “Informed Traveller” listeners ranges from 100,000 to 120,000 with up to 2,000 downloads of the podcast. |
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Fox releases first look for N.C.-filmed “Welcome to Flatch’ Fox has released its first look at “Welcome to Flatch,” a mockumentary slated for the network’s midseason programming next year. “Welcome to Flatch” filmed in and around New Hanover, Pender and Duplin counties from October 2020-February 2021, after being shutdown earlier in 2020 due to COVID-19. It's expected to have a direct in-state spend of approximately $32 million. View the trailer here. The TV series is based on a hit BBC series and tells the story of “when a documentary crew sets out to explore the lives of residents in a small American town… they stumble upon the midwestern town of Flatch, which is made up of many eccentric personalities.” |
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PR team effort leads to Beaufort included in ‘Small Towns That Are Rich in History’ Due to a pitch from the Visit NC PR team, Beaufort was included in a roundup of “12 Small Towns That Are Rich in American History” on HouseBeautiful.com. The online article noted, “Beaufort, North Carolina was established in 1709 and is one of the oldest towns statewide. Sitting on the coast, Beaufort was first known for fishing. Bahamian-style homes were very popular in the 18th century and many remain still standing, marked with dates of original construction.” Housebeautiful.com garners more than 2.2 million unique visitors per month. |
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Research shows improvement to COVID concerns but other issues continue to rise As COVID concerns continue to improve, other issues affecting the travel industry are on the rise. Strong concerns about the national economy rose last week to nearly 77 percent of Americans expressing concern and Americans’ beliefs that travel prices will be low this summer have decreased says Destination Analysts. As well, the correlation between gas prices and travel sentiment cannot be ignored in light of the recent gasoline shortages following the Colonial Pipeline cyber-attack. Nearly one-third of travelers report being affected by the event and 16 percent of travelers say the event has led them to reconsider or cancel upcoming travel plans. |
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Despite the gasoline issues, the majority of Americans remain highly marketable to travel opportunities. More than 70 percent say they are excited and open to new trips in the near-term. More than 72 percent report doing some kind of travel planning or dreaming in the last week. Research also suggests that this summer will not look like the summer of 2020, as Americans will engage in different types of trips. While 46 percent of travelers say they plan to take laid back, close-to-home trips, 41 percent also report they will be taking longer, more involved trips this summer. By generation, those travelers planning more involved trips are more likely to be Millennials or Gen Z while those planning more low-key trips are more likely to be Boomers or older travelers. |
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Travel desires for the coming year focus on relaxation, scenic beauty and the opportunity to do new things or visit new places. Top desired destination attributes include a destination that is fun (56 percent), relaxing (55 percent), memorable (50 percent) and affordable (48 percent). |
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Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. |
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'Staffing shortages pose a threat to hotels' budding recovery' This past Monday, The Wall Street Journal offered "Staffing Shortages Pose a Threat to Hotels' Budding Recovery." The article noted, "The pandemic has shifted where and how people work, and as the economy moves toward broader reopenings, hotels and the rest of the service industry are struggling to staff up. That is despite offering perks like higher wages, sign-on and retention bonuses and more flexible work schedules, hotel managers and owner say. Failing to hire enough workers risks hotels having to limit guest stays amid rising demand that has pushed national occupancy levels back above 50% in the past couple months.... Part of the hiring problem may be that owners and workers disagree over the main causes of the staffing challenge, and how to resolve it." |
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Anne Winkelman is the new director for the Avery County Chamber of Commerce. She may be contacted at (828) 898-5605 or via director@averycounty.com. |
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Fort Raleigh, Reed Gold Mine among 'Hidden Gem Destinations for American History Lovers' Fort Raleigh National Historic Site in Manteo and Reed Gold Mine in Midland were included in TravelPulse’s “30 Hidden Gem Destinations for American History Lovers.” Visit NC worked with Cabarrus County CVB for Reed Gold Mine photography options for the writer. The photo gallery noted, in part, "Visit Reed Mine at this State Historic Site in Midland to see bygone mining equipment and learn about the era when the Tar Heel State was the epicenter of American gold production." And the piece suggested a visit to Fort Raleigh "to learn all about this mysterious chapter in Colonial America and take in the long-running 'The Lost Colony' outdoor play which dramatizes the events surrounding the mystery." |
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Asheville among ‘Beautiful North American mountain destinations you need to see’ Asheville was included among 10Best’s “10 beautiful North American mountain destinations you need to see,” as selected by 10Best editors, who selected their “choices for top mountain towns.” Of Asheville’s inclusion, the article explained, “Asheville has a unique, quirky personality. It may be known for Biltmore Estate, the largest home in the U.S., but there’s much more to Asheville than that. In and around town, outdoor enthusiasts will find enough trails, rivers, cliffs, and ski runs to occupy weeks of vacation time. Loads of independent stores specialize in vintage clothing, books, arts and crafts, antiques and music. Dining, too, could be a full-time diversion in Asheville – from burgers to sushi, crepes to burritos, this town feeds every craving.” |
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‘North Carolina Weekend’
For the week of May 20, "North Carolina Weekend" showcases the coffee scene in the state. Segments feature Zuma Coffee in Marshall; Richard's Coffee Shop in Mooresville; Lorraine's Coffee & Café in Garner; Vortex Donuts in Asheville; and Esteamed Coffee in Cary. (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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