| Weekly e-newsletter for VisitNC partners | November 20, 2019 |
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| IN THIS ISSUE:
* SportsNC promotes North Carolina at TEAMS Conference
* N.C.-filmed 'Love It or List It' returns to HGTV
* Welcome Center managers meet in Mount Airy
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SportsNC promotes North Carolina at TEAMS Conference
Visit NC's Amanda Baker and representatives from SportsNC attended the annual TEAMS (Travel, Events And Management in Sports) Conference & Expo in Anaheim, Calif., last week. The SportsNC delegation participated in pre-scheduled appointments during the conference. TEAMS is one of the premier trade shows for sports planners to meet with destinations and sports organizations to conduct business as well as learn about industry trends and best practices related to sports. Participating SportsNC partners included Asheville CVB, Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission, Crystal Coast TDA, Explore Nash County, Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, Greensboro CVB, Go Gaston, Greenville-Pitt Sports Commission, Visit Cabarrus, Raleigh Convention Center, Rise Indoor Sports Complex, Rocky Mount Event Center, Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, Mooresville CVB, Visit Charlotte, Visit Lake Norman, Visit Winston-Salem, Wilmington & Beaches CVB, and Wilson VB. For more information on Visit NC's statewide sports marketing efforts, contact Amanda Baker at (919) 447-7765. |
N.C.-filmed 'Love It or List It' returns to HGTV
New episodes of the N.C.-filmed lifestyle series "Love It or List It" returned to HGTV this past Monday. The series, which shoots in the greater Triangle area, will have 13 new episodes this season. "Love It or List It" has filmed entirely in North Carolina since September 2014. The production was recruited to the state by the N.C. Film Office and is estimated to have a direct spend of more than $270,000 per episode. Last season, a new high of 17 million viewers tuned in to the series. |
| | | The group at the TV Land statue of Andy & Opie near the Andy Griffith Museum |
Welcome Center managers meet in Mount Airy
Last week, Mount Airy Tourism hosted the N.C. Visitors Services team for the group's semi-annual meeting, which included a study tour of the area. N.C. Dept. of Commerce's Visitor Services Program Manager Wally Wazan facilitated the discussion-style meeting, which included N.C. Welcome Center managers and Call Center Supervisor Teresa Smith. The study tour also included site visits to the Andy Griffith Museum, Mayberry Spirits, Miss Angels Farm, Miss Angles Heavenly Pies, Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, and Squad Car Tours. Travel entity partners such as a CVB, TDA or chamber interested in hosting Welcome Center staff to provide them with first-hand knowledge of their destinations should contact Wally Wazan at (919) 814-4649 for more information. |
AAA predicts second-highest travel volume for Thanksgiving
AAA predicts more than 55 million travelers are making plans to kick off the holiday season with a trip of 50 miles or more away from home this Thanksgiving. This will be the second-highest Thanksgiving travel volume since AAA began tracking in 2000, trailing only the record set in 2005. Overall, an additional 1.6 million more people will travel compared with last year, a 2.9 percent increase. The vast majority of holiday travelers will drive to their destinations. Wednesday afternoon [is expected] to be the worst travel period nationally, with trips taking as much at four times longer than normal in major metros. |
| | | (photo courtesy Asheville Art Museum) |
Asheville Art Museum reopens after $24 million renovation and expansion
The Asheville Art Museum officially reopened last week, after a three-year, $24-million renovation and expansion. Sporting a fresh 54,000 square feet, the revamped facility adds 70 percent more collection gallery space and expands the collection storage, in addition to a new creative area for kids, plus classrooms and studios. The Asheville Art Museum's considerable construction project was made possible by the contributions of the board of trustees, foundations, businesses, financial institutions, public sources and individuals nearby and nationwide. |
Soccer craze brings $24 million to Wake County Soccer tournaments for men, women and youth are bringing in big dollars to the Triangle. Experts say, over the next month alone, Wake County will generate $24 million from the sport. Thousands of soccer fans and parents will visit the county this year. Of those, 70,000 represent the North Carolina Football Club Youth soccer league. Nearly 1,500 youth teams will visit Wake County over a span of five weeks, all vying for the chance to be noticed by one of the 1,000 college coaches who will be in attendance. With thousands of families staying in 70 hotels, Visit Raleigh says that Wake County has become the center of the soccer universe. Between NCFC, the ACC Women's and Men's Soccer Championships and the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship, Wake County will generate $24.8 million. |
Surveys, Industry, Marketing & Travel Trends
Hyatt joins other big hotel chains by pledging to eliminate small plastic bottles - Joining its competitors, Hyatt Hotels is getting rid of single-use plastic bottles of toiletries, reports Skift. The company announced last week that it will replace individual bottles of shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and lotion with large-format bathroom amenities, following similar moves by Marriott International and InterContinental Hotels Group. Hyatt will also discourage the use of single-use plastic bottles of water by increasing the number of drinking fountain-type water stations in public areas for guests to refill reusable containers. For meetings and events, water will be offered in carafes. The initiatives will be introduced as soon as possible at properties around the world and will be applied company-wide no later than June 2021. The Chicago-based company has 20 brands, including Park Hyatt and Andaz, and 875 properties around the world. Hyatt also started eliminating single-use plastic straws and drink picks in September 2018.
Looking to scientists to expand eco-tourism efforts - The New York Times' "Looking to Scientists to Expand Eco-Tourism Efforts" notes "Eco-tourism has been a buzzword in the travel industry for some time now, with more and more hotels giving guests the option to reuse their sheets or to forego housekeeping entirely in an effort to 'protect the environment' (and, let's be honest, save money). But some hotels, lodges and resorts have taken steps [such as] hiring scientists to conduct serious academic inquiry while also offering nature tours, workshops and classes for guests." The article looks at a few scientists who now work as a resort's orchid specialist and resident biologist (in Peru), exploration manager and wildlife research director (Equador) and a scientist in Australia who oversees a resort's reef restoration program and works to protect the creatures of the Living Reef.
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Locally grown Christmas trees and decor
It is difficult to imagine holiday decorating without the time-honored Christmas tree - and there are many ways of reducing its environmental impact. North Carolina is one of the largest producers of Christmas trees, and the N.C. Christmas Tree Association lists Christmas tree farms online. Many Christmas tree farms also offer fresh wreaths and garland, too. Purchasing locally grown Christmas trees for a hotel, B&B, attraction or restaurant presents a good environmental option since they have not been shipped long distances and it helps North Carolina's economy. Another great option is to buy a "balled in burlap" tree, which has the roots still attached and so can be planted on the property and decorated year after year. In addition, once planted, such trees can provide shelter for roosting and nesting birds. When decorating a tree, consider using energy-efficient LED holiday light strands and purchasing used ornaments from thrift stores. Another option is to encourage guests and staff to make their own ornaments from old holiday cards and natural items such as cinnamon sticks and ribbons. For more information on sustainability in the tourism industry, visit the NC GreenTravel Initiative or contact program manager Tom Rhodes at (919) 707-8140. |
| | For the week of Nov. 21 on "North Carolina Weekend," tempt your taste buds via a Taste Carolina Charlotte food tour. Check out the history of and performances at Amuzu Theatre in Southport. Enjoy Part One of a story on the Yadkin Valley Winter Wine Passport in Surry County. And the "House Special" samples the fare at Café Rule in Hickory. (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. | In 2018, approximately 11 million daytrips were taken in North Carolina. The state ranked #7 in the U.S. in terms of daytrip visitation. A daytripper is defined as a visitor who did not spend any nights away from home, but traveled at least 50 miles one-way from home. For more North Carolina visitor information, visit Visitor Profile Studies, or contact Visit NC's Marlise Taylor at (919) 447-7748. |
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Upcoming Industry Meetings & Events
Dec. 12 - AENC Annual Showcase, Raleigh Jan. 6-7 - BRPA Winter Meeting, Sparta Jan. 25-27 - NC Assn. of Festivals & Events Showfest, Charlotte Jan. 28 - NC Sports Assn. Meeting, Durham Jan. 28 - US Travel Assn. National Plan for Vacation Day, nationwide |
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