Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners, September 1, 2021 |
|
| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC’s PR team leads media tour through the Yadkin Valley * Visit NC webinar focusing on Meetings & Conventions recovery moved to Sept. 22 * There’s still time to advertise in 2022 NC Travel Guide; space closes Oct. 1 |
|
Visit NC’s PR team leads media tour through the Yadkin Valley
In partnership with Visit Winston-Salem, Surry County Tourism and the Wilkesboro TDA, Visit NC’s PR team hosted media representatives from TripSavvy.com, Food & Wine, WineTraveler.com and other outlets on a Yadkin Valley familiarization tour. The trip began in Winston-Salem, the “gateway to the Yadkin Valley,” where guests indulged in a five-course dinner and conversations with winemakers and a sommelier. The journey continued to Dobson, Elkin, Mount Airy and Wilkesboro with stops at 10 wineries that span the establishment of the Yadkin Valley American Viticultural Area in 2003 to the recent spurt of growth in vineyards and wineries. The itinerary extended beyond vineyards and tasting rooms to Old Salem, Reynolda House Museum of American Art, a Mayberry Squad Car Tour, a hike to Carter Falls and a tour of Surry Community College’s Shelton-Badgett N.C. Center for Viticulture and Enology. |
|
Visit NC is hosting a webinar focusing on Meetings & Conventions on Sept. 22, which had initially been scheduled for Sept. 8. Research has never been more critical to guiding Visit North Carolina’s decision-making than it is now. Visit NC is moving the webinar to allow it to incorporate the latest national research that will be released in the next few weeks. While the travel industry has been hardest hit by the pandemic, the meetings industry segment has taken the biggest hit. The recovery of this market is key to the overall tourism recovery in N.C. MMGY Global’s Chris Davidson will provide the most up-to-date results of its current Meetings & Conventions Industry study. The webinar is free and will be recorded for later availability. The webinar is free and will be recorded for later availability. Click here to register. |
|
There’s still time to advertise in 2022 NC Travel Guide; space closes Oct. 1 Don’t miss out on the opportunity to advertise in the 2022 North Carolina Travel Guide, as the deadline closes on Oct. 1. The guide is Visit North Carolina's popular fulfillment piece for visitors to and within the state. The N.C. Travel Guide is available at the state's nine Welcome Centers, Visitor Centers, via the 1-800-VISIT NC Call Center, and VisitNC.com, and distributed at targeted travel- and media-related shows; plus, it is also available for distribution by any tourism-related business as an informational piece. The N.C. Travel Guide has engaged readers – many are active vacationers, as 63 percent are planning to take three or more trips this year. They are inspired by the guide, with 95 percent of readers saying it inspired them to take or plan a trip to North Carolina. And 75 percent save the guide to reference later. Opportunities start at $500. View the 2022 N.C. Travel Guide Media Kit here. For more information, contact Stacey Rosseter at (678) 571-7445. |
|
‘Hallmark movies are a staple of Wilmington's record-setting film industry year in 2021’ “Hallmark movies are a staple of Wilmington's record-setting film industry year in 2021,” reported the (Wilmington) Star-News last week. In what has been a record-setting year for the film industry in both Wilmington and North Carolina as a whole – with $409 million expected to be spent in the state this year, and nearly $300 million spent in the Wilmington area so far. Another bonus with the Hallmark films is that, since the shoots tend to be location-heavy, the Wilmington area gets a lot of screen time. Plus, local production crews are working regular hours and film equipment is in demand. “One Summer" shot on location at Old Baldy Lighthouse on Bald Head Island. "We're pretty jazzed about it," said The Old Baldy Foundation's Abby Overton. "Any exposure we get on a national scale is great for our foundation." The production donated to the foundation in exchange for being allowed to film both inside and outside of the lighthouse. |
|
Research shows despite concerns about Delta variant, Americans still have travel plans Recent data from Destination Analysts shows that despite current concerns about the Delta variant, 80 percent of Americans still have travel plans. A quarter of travelers have plans for September, while slightly less have plans for October. November and December, each at about 20 percent. Most trips planned are leisure or to visit friends/family. |
|
Recent forecast data provided to Visit NC from STR estimates that commercial lodging room demand for the rest of 2021 (September - December) will be up 29 percent from the same time period last year, but still down about 4 percent from the same time period in 2019. Statewide demand for the year 2021 is expected to be up 32 percent from 2020, but still down 8.5 percent from 2019. 2020 demand is projected to top 2019 demand by an estimated 4 percent. |
|
Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. |
|
September issue offers ‘Preserved with Love’ The September issue of Our State magazine offers “Preserved with Love,” emphasizing the tradition of canning. “Downtown” explores Sanford; “Shopkeep” spotlights Simply NC in Clinton; “Field Trips” visits several fun-but-educational destinations; and “Restaurants” samples SidWill’s in Jamestown. The September issue is available now. |
|
‘North Carolina Weekend’
For the week of Sept. 2, "North Carolina Weekend" repeats its “International Charms” episode, which initially aired May 6. Segments feature La Caseta in Charlotte; French Connections in Pittsboro; Namu in Durham; Flor de America Cigars in Statesville; and Chai Pani in Asheville. (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. |
|
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. |
|
NewsLink is a publication of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina 150 Fayetteville St., Suite 1200, Raleigh, NC 27601 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
