Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC Partners - October 17, 2024
IN THIS ISSUE: * Visit NC update: Hurricane Helene recovery
* International operators tour the state
* RFP deadline extended for 2026, 2027 Visit NC Tourism Conference host destinations
* Cycle NC Mountains to Coast ride rolls through the state, raising hurricane relief funds
Visit NC update: Hurricane Helene recovery
Visit NC continues to update its Western NC Travel Advisory webpage and interactive map to showcase areas that are reopening to visitation and show ways for travelers to reach them. This map is updated as conditions change. Visit NC is also working with the Governor’s office and NCDOT on messaging for the mountains.
“Some parts of the area are open, and ready to welcome visitors, which is critical for the revival of Western North Carolina’s economy,” said NC Governor Roy Cooper.
At this time, Visit NC has restarted its owned media, organic social media and public relations efforts statewide, including partner marketing co-ops. The messaging encourages visitors to travel to areas across the state that are open and to do so by not interfering with areas that are still in recovery stages. However, still paused is the “For Real, Visit NC” campaign advertising , which will resume when research shows the timing is right to do it in an effective way.
As the Western NC Travel Advisory webpage remains active, if tourism partners have updates on closures or openings, major event news or properties offering discounts to those displaced by the storm, please send that information to alert@visitnc.com. These efforts will be added to Visit NC’s communications as appropriate.
While everyone continues to navigate these difficult times, our hearts and prayers remain with our partners in the western part of the state and everyone affected by the storm. If you are in a position to help, the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund is accepting donations to support the communities most impacted.
At the NC Museum of
Natural Sciences in
Raleigh
International operators tour the state
Last week, Visit NC and partners Visit Raleigh and Outer Banks VB hosted three German travel trade operators from American Unlimited, Canusa Touristik and CRB on a familiarization tour to promote new access to North Carolina via Lufthansa. The new Lufthansa flight offers nonstop service from Frankfurt to RDU. This new route provides travelers with seamless access and opens the world of possibilities for leisure travel to the state. Frankfurt is the hub for Lufthansa, the largest airline group in Europe.
Visit North Carolina's international efforts are a joint collaboration with destination marketing partners across the state. As part of its international marketing, Visit NC partners with CVBs, attractions and hotels to showcase all that North Carolina has to offer international visitors. Hosting familiarization tours is a successful way that allows tour operators to experience various aspects of the state so they can better promote travel to North Carolina. To learn more about Visit NC's international marketing programs, contact Heidi Walters at (919) 447-7762.
Due to Hurricane Helene, Visit North Carolina has extended the deadline to submit a bid to host the 2026 or 2027 Visit NC Tourism Conference. Thank you to all destinations that have already submitted bids. For those still interested, details on the necessary requirements to host can be found in the RFP available here. Deadline to respond is now Oct. 31.
Cycle NC Mountains to Coast ride rolls through the state, raising hurricane relief funds
More than 900 cyclists from 42 states – plus Washington, DC, Canada, and the United Kingdom – participated in Cycle NC’s 25th Annual Mountains to Coast Ride. This year the ride was shortened due to Hurricane Helene but still overnighted in six towns across the state while passing through several more.
Together with Statesville CVB, Cycle NC raised $10,247 with the hot air balloon rides for Spruce Pine. They also took direct donations to Downtown Spruce Pine Alliance, DT’s Café and the Gastropub (all in Spruce Pine) at the Cycle NC Rider Services and check-in table each day. Many cyclists brought donations of goods/food to Lenoir and Pittsboro; cyclists also had the option to donate their hotel refund for Spruce Pine directly to the town. The Hiddenite Heritage Center also raised money at the Cycle NC rest stop to repair their historic house following storm damage.
For the eighth year, Visit NC sponsored the excursions
. These daily excursions gave participants and those traveling with them the opportunity to take a break from the ride and experience North Carolina. Participants varied from cyclists wanting a day off to rest their legs or simply explore different areas of the state, to friends/family of the cyclists who weren't riding but were traveling with the group. A dedicated motorcoach departed from the overnight host city in the morning and stopped at a few attractions and a destination for lunch each day before arriving at the next overnight host city in the late afternoon. Participants paid a fee to help offset costs to the attractions that hosted them. Participants also had the opportunity to shop and learn more about the state for future visits. This was an opportunity to spread the
economic impact of the Cycle NC ride to many more communities on or near the route of the ride.
Visit North Carolina is a founding sponsor of Cycle North Carolina's Mountains to Coast, Fall and Spring rides. Cycle North Carolina offers one of the largest cross-state bicycle tours in the United States. The three annual rides are designed to promote North Carolina's scenic beauty while providing substantial economic impact to small towns across the state.
Vote for NC sites among ‘Best spots to ski & snowboard'
North Carolina has three sites among the nominations for 10Best's Readers' Choice Awards categories for “Best spots to ski & snowboard.” Online voting by readers is now open via USAToday.com; click on the hyperlink to vote. Voting ends at noon onNov. 11.
For the week of Oct. 17, "North Carolina Weekend” celebrates "Coastal Vibes," a re-airing from 2023. Featured segments include the Wilmington Riverfront, Baker’s Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery in New Bern, Wilmington’s becoming a World War II Heritage City, Historic Corolla Park in Corolla, and Indochine in Wilmington. (Check local listings, as 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., Ste 1200, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601, United States
