| October 29, 2014 |
 In this issue:• RetireNC promoted at N.C., national conferences • Limited availability in retirement-focused print co-op with Ideal-Living • Travel sector continues to add jobs, steady growth ...and more |
| RetireNC promoted at N.C., national conferences |
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Partner/Trade Relations Managers André Nabors and Ashlee Kirk attended the N.C. League of Municipalities Conference in Greensboro Oct. 12-13. Visit North Carolina had the opportunity to market and promote the N.C. Certified Retirement Community Program to more than 600 attendees at that conference. Many communities had the opportunity to learn more about the guidelines and requirements of the program along with the many benefits provided by the EDPNC tourism office.
Nabors and Kirk also represented North Carolina at the American Association of Retirement Communities Conference in Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 15-17. They learned best practices from industry leaders, comparing strategies and tactics with communities who seek to better understand the needs of the coming wave of Baby Boomer retirees. The conference also focused on the forgotten Gen Xers who are in the planning stages of retirement, as well as what developers look for in building communities. The audience consisted of nationally acclaimed strategic visionaries, decision-makers from thriving real estate markets, developers, economic development leaders, and others successful at positioning their niche to best attract retirees. The AARC is a not-for-profit professional association, established in 1994 for the purpose of promoting the economic enhancement of communities through the promotion of retiree attraction as an economic development strategy. Migrating retirees can be a significant economic asset to communities able to attract them. The AARC communicates these benefits and assists communities interested in marketing to this ever-increasing portion of the American population. The General Assembly has charged Tourism with promoting the state's Certified Retirement Community program, which recognizes towns that are positioning themselves for retiree attraction as an economic and community development strategy. Asheboro, Eden, Edenton, Lumberton, Marion, Mount Airy, Pittsboro, Sanford, and Tarboro are the state's Certified Retirement Communities. For more information about the Certified Retirement Community Program and Visit North Carolina’s marketing initiatives for retirement relocation, contact André Nabors at (919) 447-7771. |
| Limited availability in retirement-focused print co-op with Ideal-Living |
Limited availability remains in the Ideal-Living print co-op for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015. The co-op is open to all partners, not just Certified Retirement Communities (CRCs), and includes a directory-style ad wrapped in RetireNC brand theme. The cost to participate is $500 for CRCs and $1,000 for non-CRCs. Ideal-Living has a circulation of 150,000 and targets retirees who are looking for their ideal life. Materials are due Nov. 10. Partners interested in participating in the Winter 2014 issue should contact LGA’s Crandall Turner at (704) 552-6565 to reserve their placement.
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| Travel sector continues to add jobs, steady growth | ||
The Labor Department reported that overall nonfarm employment added 8700 jobs in September and that the travel sector has added jobs 11 out of the past 12 months and has expanded payroll by 129,000 employees during the past year. The travel sector now accounts for 7,998,000 direct jobs. It has outpaced the rest of the economy in job creation by 38 percent since employment recovery began. The most recent issue of the U.S. Travel Outlook by the U.S. Travel Association reports that consumer spending is in a positive position heading into the end of the year. The New York Times also noted that as the population ages, Americans will begin to spend more money on service industries such as the travel industry which, by the way, is a labor-focused services industry substantially less prone to outsourcing than the rest of the economy. This is a win-win situation for the travel industry. Leisure travel continues to post positive numbers. The latest U.S. Travel Barometer reports that in September seven out of 10 U.S. residents indicated intent to travel domestically in the next 90 days. As well, a recent study by Enterprise Rental Car reports that two-thirds of those surveyed prefer a one- or two-day trip versus one-third who prefer a weeklong trip. For the popular fall season of travel, respondents reported that they would travel up to 300 miles one way for a weekend trip and nearly 75 percent prefer to drive. According to Steve Short, with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the study found that Americans are willing to drive long distances for a little rest and relaxation, even if it's just for a weekend. Other driving and leisure trends identified in the report included that men love the drive, while women focus on relaxation and rejuvenation. Forty-two percent of men were likely to take a road trip because they like to drive, versus a quarter of women. Millennials reported having the least amount of time to take road trips and on average, Midwesterners are willing to drive the farthest for road trips. A recent study by TripAdvisor focused on the psychology of travel. For two-thirds of travelers, the most important goal is getting a unique and interesting experience. Enjoying special moments together with loved ones is the second most important for nearly half of travelers. The survey found travelers are most excited upon arriving at a destination, and the second highest level of excitement comes during the booking stage. Travelers are also most relaxed during a trip, and are expectedly most fulfilled upon departing from a destination and also once back home. Likely feeling effects of wanderlust, more than three-quarters of U.S. travelers say returning home from one vacation prompts them to plan another one. Data from MMGY's "2014 Portrait of American Travelers" shows that Millennials are spending more on travel. Millennials spent 20 percent more on travel over last year, surpassing the 12 percent average year-over-year gain of all U.S. households. This surge is the largest year-over-year spike in spending since pre-Recession years, according to the report. PhoCusWright has also studied Millennials with regards to their mobile activity. According to a recent study, travelers between the ages of 25 and 44, more than half use their smartphones to shop for travel and nearly half use tablets for that purpose. A Skift survey of U.S. Android mobile users reported that 61 percent made some kind of travel booking through their mobile device. According to Moody's, airline load factors and hotel occupancy rates are as high as they have ever been. Demand for hotel rooms remains high, while supply growth is slow. According to Smith Travel Research, the current running three-month occupancy is the highest it has been since the summer of 1996. Year-over-year results for the U.S. lodging industry are positive with continued strong demand. The most recent North Carolina trends can be viewed here. |
| $8.5 million expansion gives N.C. Zoo's polar bears more room to roam |
| The N.C. Zoo in Asheboro opened its newly expanded polar bear exhibit last week. More than three years in construction, landscaping and animal introductions, the $8.5 million habitat triples the size of the zoo's polar bear exhibit and features greatly increased land space for the bears as well as a stream flowing through its center. State-of-the-art educational graphics and interactive computers tell the story of polar bears and their threatened status in the wild due to the loss of ice packs that provide their hunting grounds. The exhibit also features an indoor gallery with more educational graphics and television screens as well as glass viewing panels overlooking the exhibit and an artificial ice cave. Behind the scenes, the expanded facilities include larger and improved holding facilities for the bears and a special den for a mother with cubs. Zoo supporters across the state feel a sense of ownership in the place. Like much of the work that goes on at the park, the new exhibit was paid for with a combination of state funds and private donations raised by the N.C. Zoo Society. During three years, schoolchildren collected 3,276,238 "pennies for polar bears" – nearly $33,000 – to help with the project. Watch a video of Patches, one of the zoo’s two polar bears, enjoying the new habitat here. |
| Old Edwards, Westglow among Readers' Choice favorites | ||
Westglow Resort & Spa in Blowing Rock ranked #7 among the Top 12 Destination Resort Spas in the World. The magazine's Readers' Choice Awards also recognized Asheville as #10 among the Friendliest Cities in the U.S., noting "Nestled amid national forests, Asheville is "a beautiful city with a small-town feel and a wonderful bohemian vibe." "Friendly people" fill the "artistic community" with "positive energy" and "beautiful paintings, [and] photography and crafts of all kinds." "Farm-to-table" and "vegetarian" restaurants dominate the dining scene, as does "local organic beer." Must-visit spots include Early Girl for breakfast and Cúrate for tapas, and the beautiful gardens of the North Carolina Arboretum. |
| Beaufort tops 'America's Favorite Towns,' CLT and Cúrate also recognized |
In the latest "America's Favorite Places" survey, Travel + Leisure readers ranked hundreds of cities and towns in categories including live music scene, bookstores, brunch spots, and even the enthusiasm of local sports fans. For its "America’s Favorite Towns," those with fewer than 50,000 residents, readers found Beaufort to be the best. Of Beaufort, the article noted, "With its quaint, tree-lined downtown and colorful history – populated with plenty of fishermen and even a fair share of pirates – this Inner Banks town won the survey thanks to its heavyweight small-town charm. Readers gave Beaufort high marks as both a relaxing and a romantic destination. You might time your visit to Beaufort's quirky version of Mardi Gras or just sit by the waterfront and watch for the wild ponies that live on Carrot Island, across Taylor's Creek. For good water views, have dinner or drinks at the Dockhouse or stay at the 36-room Inlet Inn."
Charlotte Douglas International Airport came in #9 among the "Best Airports for Flight Delays." The article said, “A high traffic volume didn’t deter CLT’s efficiency. Despite more than 243,000 domestic departures from July 2013 to June 2014 – the most of any of the 10 least-delayed airports – it made the top 10 airports for punctual departures. It helps that nearly 60 percent of the airport’s passengers travel on US Airways, which earned a No. 5 ranking among the best on-time airlines.” Cúrate in Asheville was recognized among the "Best Meatballs in America." "There's plenty to recommend this quirky mountain town, but the fact that there's an El Bulli alum in Asheville is enough to inspire foodies to plan a visit – stat. Scientist-turned-chef Katie Button runs one of the country's best tapas restaurants, preparing everything from patatas bravas to warm octopus to the albóndigas con jamon, meatballs inspired by her Spanish mother-in-law, Pepa. 'The only change,' says Button, 'is that we use ground jamon, which gives them this rich flavor and fall-apart-in-your-mouth texture.' Her husband, Felix, gives the final product his nod of approval – and so do we." |
| Wilmington cemeteries among 'Spookiest' | ||
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| Boone sites among 'Culinary Road Trip' |
Only in recent years have chefs begun to recognize and riff on the rich heritage of Appalachia, notes The Wall Street Journal in its "A (Yes) Culinary Road Trip Through Appalachia." A new initiative by the Appalachian Regional Commission, an economic development agency, aims to promote it. The Bon Appétit! Bon Appalachia! map and website, launched this summer, spotlight hundreds of the region’s most distinctive food destinations, from farmers' markets to craft breweries to cafes that serve locally sourced berries and beets. The writer specifically mentions a stop in Boone, where she and a friend imbibed Appalachian Brewing Company, and dined at Hob Nob Farm Café and F.A.R.M. (Feed All Regardless of Means) Café. |
| The music – its memories and traditions – of our lives | ||
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| NC GreenTravel: Practicing responsible purchasing |
| Purchasing decisions can have significant environmental and social impacts. Responsible procurement is a manner of making purchasing decisions based upon environmental, social and ethical considerations, rather than the traditional paradigm of price, quality, functionality, and availability. Responsible procurement takes into consideration the necessity of a purchase, raw materials, manufacturing processes, shipping logistics, packaging components, product usage, and disposal. Basic steps can be taken to implement a responsible procurement policy at a facility. First, create a policy statement that supports overall sustainability objectives and can be easily understood by employees and suppliers. Inventory the products and services that the business purchases from outside the establishment and select areas that could be buying more sustainably. Identify the people and resources accountable for the implementation of the policy. Invite key suppliers, staff and stakeholders to participate in the planning stages of the policy. Translate responsible procurement expectations into a clear set of guidelines for suppliers that state minimum requirements for compliance. Set measurable goals and integrate them along with sustainability objectives into the purchasing and contracting procedures. For more information on responsible procurement, check out the EPA’s Final Guidance on Environmentally Preferable Purchasing. For information on sustainable tourism, contact NC GreenTravel program manager Tom Rhodes at (919) 707-8140, or Daniel Johnson with ECU’s Center for Sustainability at ECU at (252) 737-4296. |
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| Upcoming Industry Meetings & Events |
| Nov. 3-6 – World Travel Market, London, U.K. Nov. 10-13 – TEAMS Conference, Las Vegas, Nev. Nov. 14 – AENC Marketing & Communication Conference, Durham Nov. 20-21 – MPI-CC Meeting, Southern Pines Nov. 21 – EDPNC Board Meeting, Cary Dec. 1-4 – Travel South International Showcase, New Orleans, La. Dec. 9 – N.C. Travel & Tourism Board Meeting, Cary Dec. 11 – AENC Annual Trade Show, Raleigh |
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