Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners - September 14, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC’s webinar TODAY features ‘What's New and Upcoming with Visit NC's Partner & Industry Relations’
* Visit NC’s TRAC coming to Concord Sept. 28
* Spending by film industry in N.C. drops significantly
Visit NC’s webinar today features ‘What's New with Visit NC's Partner & Industry Relations’
For its monthly webinar today (Thursday), Visit NC's Partner & Industry Relations team will discuss some new efforts, including an upcoming Fall Tour to visit partners around the state, as well as the new Tourism Exchange Program; Outdoor NC 2.0, which will include stewardship workshops; updates on the VisitNC.com database; and the evolution of the TRAC (Tourism Resource Assistance Center) program. The webinar will be today at 10 a.m.; click
here to register.
A previous TRAC in
Statesville
Visit NC’s TRAC coming to Concord Sept. 28
Tourism-related businesses in Cabarrus County – plus the surrounding counties – will have an opportunity to work with Visit NC staff to learn about its research, film recruitment, development and marketing services, and discuss best practices for reaching travelers, the media and increasing tourism visitation and spending. Visit NC's Tourism Resource Assistance Center (TRAC) is a community-based training program designed to help small tourism-related businesses. TRAC will be held 2 - 6 p.m. on Sept. 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte/Concord, 7831 Gateway Ln. NW in Concord.
There is no charge to attend, no reservation is required, and there is no PowerPoint presentation. This is a come-when-you-can/stay-as-long-as-you-like event opportunity for all tourism-related businesses to meet one-on-one with program managers to discuss better ways to promote their property or event. TRAC brings Visit North Carolina's program managers to local communities to discuss the nuts and bolts of working with the organization. This invaluable program is designed to help tourism-related businesses engage more fully with programs offered by Visit North Carolina and its partners.
Representatives from the EDPNC's Business Services, N.C. Welcome Centers/Visitor Services, N.C. State Parks, and Agritourism are often on hand to discuss services they can provide businesses, including strategic planning, assisting with identifying funding sources and serving as liaisons with other local, state and federal agencies. For additional information on this session or to learn more about scheduling a TRAC visit to your community, contact Visit NC's André Nabors at (919) 447-7771.
Spending by film industry in N.C. drops significantly
Gaster says the state saw a record in direct in-state spending by the film industry in 2021 following the pandemic as productions ramped back up. "Just two years ago, in 2021, we saw production spent over 416 million dollars in the state directly in the state," Gaster said. "That dropped to 259 million in 2022. And, as of right now in 2023 we're at just under 70 million overall and really aren't forecasting that number to increase very much because of the stalling in the negotiations and a possible resolution to this.”
Gaster also noted, "Some of the other crafts that are behind the camera, such as the camera people themselves, the lighting experts, the hair and makeup, stylists, those individuals are kind of right now sitting at home trying to figure out what's next. I do get nervous that some of our workers might feel this industry is a little unstable right now, and find that other job and really like it and decide that's what they're moving into."
Recent research by Destination Analysts reports a worrisome decline in travel budgets. The typical American traveler expects to spend just over $3,500 on leisure travel during the next 12 months, the lowest average budget since October 2021.
Nearly half of American travelers report that high travel prices are a deterrent to travel, says Destination Analysts. About a third of travelers (36 percent) say that it’s a bad time to spend on travel right now, exceeding the percentage (29 percent) who say it’s a good time to spend on travel. Perhaps as a result of this sentiment, leisure day trips have grown at a higher rate than leisure overnight trips. Forty-five percent of Americans say they’ve taken a leisure overnight trip in the last month while 54 percent say they’ve taken a leisure day trip.
On a more positive note, fears of a recession continue to decline and more than half of Americans feel the most financially optimistic than they have since July 2021.
Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through NewsLink with links to available studies.
RDU announces new airline, new non-stop flight from Germany
Yesterday (Tuesday), Raleigh-Durham International Airport announced RDU's newest airline, the German airline Lufthansa. Beginning June 6, 2024, for five days a week, Lufthansa will offer nonstop flights from Frankfurt, Germany to RDU.
Blowing Rock among the '9 Best Mountain Towns to See Fall Foliage'
Outside magazine included Blowing Rock among its “9 Best Mountain Towns to See Fall Foliage.” Of Blowing Rock, the article said, in part, "the small, tourist-centric town of Blowing Rock is sandwiched within the lush slopes of the Southern Appalachians, which are incredibly green in the summer but come alive with color in fall as the hardwoods show off in reds, oranges, and yellows. The small town has a walkable, quaint village vibe, but is surrounded by some of the most rugged peaks in the East." In addition to Peak Season information, the article suggested things to do.
Banner Elk, Blue Ridge Parkway spotlighted for fall
Travel + Leisure included Banner Elk among its “Best Small Towns in the U.S. to See Fall Foliage.” Of the inclusion, the article noted, in part, “Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of the North Carolina High Country, Banner Elk brims with leaf-gazing opportunities. The town's colorful crown jewel is Grandfather Mountain State Park, where the region's first hints of fall hues tend to appear.”
For "20 Ideas for the Perfect Romantic Fall Getaway," the publication included Asheville. Of the area, the article said, in part, “Extreme elevations and more than 100 species of deciduous trees give the Blue Ridge Mountains one of the most vibrant leaf seasons worldwide. Thrill-seeking couples can glide above the forest side by side on Navitat's mountaintop zip line. Other Asheville area adventures include biking, horseback riding, and river floating trips from the Biltmore Estate.
In a separate story, T+L included the Blue Ridge Parkway, in N.C. and Va., in its “14 Fall Road Trips for Stunning Scenery Around the U.S.
” Of the parkway, the article explained, “This winding road covers almost 470 miles to connect the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. While you drive, you'll pass split-rail fences, old farmsteads, mountain meadows, and scenic overlooks. Stop along the way at one of the many hiking trails in either national park, or visit a local farm to grab some autumnal produce.”
For the week of Sept. 15, "North Carolina Weekend” highlights “DISCover the State,” which originally aired May 4. Featured segments include Rolling Pines Disc Golf in Wilkesboro; Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City; Diavolo Disc Golf Course in Cary; Good Hops Brewing's disc golf in Carolina Beach; and the group Uwharrie Trailblazers in Asheboro. (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 Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
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