Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners - November 30, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC PR team support results coverage for Raleigh’s Ajja restaurant
* Tunisia delegation learns about
N.C. tourism, film
* 8 counties will change tier rankings in 2024
Visit NC PR team support results in coverage for Raleigh’s Ajja restaurant
From a trip coordinated by Visit NC’s PR team, Esquire magazine included Ajja on its list of “The Best New Restaurants in America, 2023
.” Starting with a destination list from one of the Esquire authors, the PR team worked with local partners to recommend dining spots for consideration, then supported a visit to check out his selection. Ajja, the Mediterranean/Middle East restaurant that James Beard-nominated chef Cheetie Kumar opened in Raleigh in June with husband Paul Siler, was among the writer’s choices. In introducing the collection of 50 restaurants, the Esquire authors observed that “radical authenticity is surging in the world of American dining” with chefs “more willing to put their personal stories on the plate.” Describing an
ultra-charred eggplant dip at Ajja, the writer concluded that the restaurant “tells the story of the Indian diaspora through food, blending borders and reminding us that we have more in common than we have differences. There’s no other restaurant quite like Ajja, because there’s no other chef (and musician) quite like Cheetie Kumar.” Esquire.com reaches more than 21 million unique monthly visitors. The list will also appear in the print edition (out Dec. 5), which has a circulation of 620,108.
Tunisia delegation learns about N.C. tourism, film
Visit NC’s Heidi Walters and NC Film Office’s Guy Gaster met with a delegation from the Tunisia Ministry of Culture to discuss N.C. tourism, both domestic and international, along with film tourism and attracting productions to the state. This meeting was part of a four-city/-state tour in the U.S. arranged by International Focus NC. While in N.C., the delegation will be meeting with other state government agencies and several local DMOs.
According to recent research from OTA Skyscanner, more than 30 percent of U.K. travelers will travel more next year and 27 percent will spend more. Top planned activities include local cuisine, sightseeing and visiting a beach. U.K. travelers say that while word-of-mouth is the top source of travel inspiration, TV and guidebooks are also important. Less than 10 percent use TikTok, while about 20 percent say they use YouTube and Instagram.
Recent data from Tourism Economics shows that travel to North Carolina from the U.K. has bounced back significantly, but visitation is still down from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. North Carolina welcomed nearly 43,000 visitors from the U.K. in 2022, up 294 percent from 2021. Overall, international visitation to North Carolina reached nearly 600,000 in 2022, up 177 percent from 2021.
Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies.
8 counties will change tier rankings in 2024 The N.C. Department of Commerce has released the county tier designations for 2024. The designations, which are mandated by state law, determine a variety of state funding opportunities to assist in economic development. The rankings are based on an assessment of each county’s unemployment rate, median household income, population growth, and assessed property value per capita. The law calls for 40 counties to be designated as Tier 1, 40 counties to be designated as Tier 2, and 20 counties to be designated Tier 3.
For 2024, 8 counties will change tier designations. Counties moving to a less distressed tier ranking include Burke, Davie, Randolph and Surry. Counties moving to a more distressed tier ranking include Avery, Beaufort, Gates and Pasquotank.
Vote for N.C. sites among ‘Best of the Year’
North Carolina has two sites that are nominated among different categories as part of USA Today’s 10Best’s “Best of the Year.” Daily online voting is open until noon on Dec. 25.
Dawson named new director for Pender County Tourism
Olivia Dawson has been named the new tourism director for Pender County Tourism, effective Dec. 3. She may be contacted at (910) 259-1278 or via odawson@pendercountync.gov.
VanHoose new executive director for Alleghany County Chamber
Larry VanHoose is the new executive director for the Alleghany County Chamber of Commerce. He may be contacted at (336) 372-5473 or via director@alleghanycountychamber.com.
(photo courtesy
First Lady Dr. Jill
Biden’s Facebook
page)
Christmas tree from Ashe County graces the White House
This year’s official White House Christmas Tree was presented last week to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden in Washington, D.C. by siblings Amber Scott and Alex Church of Cline Church Nursery in Fleetwood. This honor is the result of Cline Church Nursery being named the 2023 Grand Champion Grower in the National Christmas Tree Association’s annual contest. The Blue Room showcases the 18-½ foot Fraser Fir.
This is the 15th time North Carolina has supplied a tree for the White House’s Blue Room. According to the N.C. Christmas Tree Association’s Christmas Tree Facts
, North Carolina has approximately 1,300 growers producing Fraser Firs on more than 40,000 acres. Fraser Fir trees represent more than 99 percent of all species grown in the state. The North Carolina Fraser Fir Christmas tree is the most popular Christmas trees in North America and is shipped to every state in the U.S. as well as to the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, Japan and other points throughout the world. The North Carolina Christmas Tree Industry is ranked second in the nation in the number of trees harvested and cash receipts.
December brings the Annual Christmas Issue
For its December edition, Our State magazine brings its Annual Christmas Issue. “Local’s Guide” visits Pittsboro; “Restaurant” highlights Birchwood Hall Southern Kitchen in Waynesville; and “Happy Trails” spotlights the Art to Heart Trail at the N.C. Museum of Art in Raleigh. The December issue is available now.
For the week of Nov. 30, "North Carolina Weekend” offers “N.C. Art and Soul.” Featured segments include Lorraine’s Coffee House in Garner; the Brooklyn Collective in Charlotte; the Mitford Museum in Hudson; Studio 32 in Sunbury; and Blue Note Grill in Durham. (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 The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
150 Fayetteville St. Suite 1200 Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601, United States
