Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners | September 2, 2020 |
|
| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC webinar provides details on Marketing Credit Program Offerings
* Winners Circle welcomes three; Esse Quam Videri award honors one * NCDOT seeking input regarding trails/greenways usage
* Dr. Beach's America's Best Beaches includes 2 in N.C.
|
|
Visit NC webinar provides details on Marketing Credit Program Offerings Wit Tuttell kicked off the webinar today (Wednesday), "Visit NC (COVID-19) Marketing Credit Program Offerings," with a brief overview of the latest traveler sentiment. People are getting more comfortable going out into their community than they are staying at home; the perceptions of safety and travel are high for those traveling outside their community, plus locals are more open to visitors coming to their area; and travelers are ready for travel and the numbers to do so are increasing. LGA presented each aspect of the co-op options. More than 30 options are available and include a wide range of options such as online ads, social media promotion, out-of-home advertising, print, radio, and TV. Other options are in the works and should be announced shortly. The complete Visit NC Marketing Credit Program can be reviewed here. The webinar concluded with a Q&A for webinar attendees about the marketing co-op credit options. A reminder to anyone participating in the Marketing Credit Co-op Program, these marketing programs must be completed - including having run and paid for - by Dec. 30, so there's a fairly quick window for this being done. LGA also noted they are happy to work with participants to determine which co-op options would be more useful to a specific DMO. Recordings of the Visit NC webinars are available here. Visit NC's webinar topics and registration information will be posted as available on Partners.VisitNC - COVID-19 and VisitNC365. There will not be a webinar next Wednesday, Sept. 9. Plans for the next webinar are for Wednesday, Sept. 16. |
Winners Circle welcomes three; Esse Quam Videri award honors one
The cancellation of the Visit NC 365 Conference in Asheville this year brought more than the loss for partners to learn from great sessions and catch-up with other attendees, it meant not being able to do an industry-wide recognition of the Winners Circle and Esse Quam Videri recipients. Let's correct that. The Winners Circle Awards recognize individuals or businesses for their contributions to the growth and success of North Carolina's tourism industry. This year's Winners Circle recipients are John Harris with Kill Devil Hills-based Kitty Hawk Kites, Scott Mason with WRAL-TV in Raleigh, and Marla Tambellini with Explore Asheville.
 | | | (lf-rt) Visit NC's Heidi Walters, John Harris, and Outer Banks VB's Lee Nettles
|
John Harris has been teaching the world to fly for 46 years at Kitty Hawk Kites. In addition to providing outfitter services for air, water and land activities at numerous locations along the N.C. coast, Kitty Hawk Kites' Nags Head location is home to the largest hang gliding school in the world, boasting an alumni list of more than 450,000 students. Kitty Hawk Kites has numerous locations along the N.C. coast, too. Harris has worked with numerous local and regional causes across the years, and he continues to direct his efforts toward promoting air sports. |
Scott Mason is a broadcast journalist with 35 years of television experience. He has won numerous awards for documentaries, writing and feature reporting, including three National Edward R. Murrrow awards and 20 regional Emmys. Mason is known as the "Tar Heel Traveler." His series on WRAL takes viewers along the back roads of North Carolina, where he meets memorable characters, find out-of-the-way places, and unearths fascinating historical footnotes. |
Marla Tambellini has been instrumental in developing and growing the Asheville area tourism brand for 25 years. With Explore Asheville CVB, she currently oversees the destination's strategic marketing and advertising, plus social and public relations efforts. Tambellini considers herself a travel marketing pro, research lover, occassional speaker, and longtime Ashevillian, plus is "constantly curious." |
The Esse Quam Videri Award recognizes those who embody what it means "to be, rather than to seem." The award is dedicated to those who better their community by freely giving their time, energy and resources for a greater good. This year, The Esse Quam Videri is awarded to Bill Carson, co-founder and CEO of the historic Orchard at Altapass in Spruce Pine. Carson is the co-founder and CEO of the historic Orchard at Altapass in Spruce Pine. When it was first purchased in 1995, Carson's collective intent was to preserve the pristine beauty of the land, its culture and heritage. Along the arduous weed-filled way, Carson picked up local stories and history, turning what he heard into stories that reflect the character, humor and integrity of the people and events that reside in the fertile soil of the Orchard. It is now a non-profit public charity, preserving the heritage, the orchard and surrounding lands, and educating the people. |
Research shows traveler optimism about travel increasing
American travelers recorded a gain in optimism regarding the pandemic this week, reports Destination Analysts. While 40 percent of travelers still think the situation will get worse in the next month, this percentage is down from 54 percent last month.
|
Americans have also shown improvement in their state of mind as it relates to travel readiness. More than half report they would be excited to travel now, up 4 percentage points from last week. Fall travel expectations improved this week, and two-thirds of Americans report that they will travel as much or more in the next 12 months as they did in the last 12 months. They also plan to spend as much or more on leisure travel than they did last year (65.7 percent). |
As excitement for travel and openness to learning about travel experiences grows, travelers report that they are most receptive in learning about travel destinations through websites, email, Facebook and other online content.
|
A new trend in the hard-hit travel industry is what is being called "workcations." According to a recent Harris Poll, Americans are using their work-from-home situations to combine travel and work. Airbnb reports that they have seen a threefold increase in reviews mentioning remote work, and note that people are renting for longer lengths of stay as well. Harris Poll asked Americans about this topic and 74 percent noted that they would consider a "workcation," with Gen X (80 percent) and Gen Z/Millennials (71 percent) being the most interested.
Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. |
NCDOT seeking input regarding trails/greenways usage
The N.C. Department of Transportation's Division of Bicycle & Pedestrian Transportation is working to get as much feedback as possible about how people are using trails/greenways across the state. The Great Trails State Plan is an effort to link trails in all 100 counties into one statewide network to connect communities of all sizes and demographics. To ensure NCDOT hears from people across North Carolina - families, students, municipalities, cycling groups and more - more input is needed about how people use existing trails and ways to effectively link them together. NCDOT is doing a survey and asking for it to be shared - so you're encouraged to share it with followers and/or constituents. The public can give feedback two ways by taking an interactive map survey and a 10-question survey. Participants are encouraged to take both surveys. Take the surveys here. |
Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Lighthouse Beach among Dr. Beach's America's Best Beaches
Dr. Beach has released his top 10 list of America's Best Beaches for 2020. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach in Ocracoke was named #2. Lighthouse Beach in Buxton was #4. Of Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Dr. Beach noted, "Ocracoke, once the home of Blackbeard the pirate, is still a special place-it is my favorite getaway beach. Here you will find some of the wildest beaches in the country. Big surf dominates in late summer so families with children may want to come earlier in the year. Don't expect to play golf or stay at the Ritz; the main pursuits are swimming and beachcombing." Of Lighthouse Beach, Dr. Beach explained, "Lighthouse Beach is where the old spiral-striped Cape Hatteras Lighthouse once stood until it was moved landward in 1999 because of beach erosion. This lifeguarded beach is the number one surfing spot on the U. S. Atlantic Coast as the large offshore sand banks, known as Diamond Shoals, cause wave refraction focusing wave energy on this beach. I enjoy strolling down to the Cape Point where a long sand spit often exists, making me feel somewhat like Moses because the waves are coming from both directions as you walk along this narrow string of sand in the ocean." |
Restorative road trips, swimming holes include N.C. sites
| |
Men's Journal included the Blue Ridge Parkway among "5 American Road Trips That Will Restore Your Sense of Wonder." The article spotlighted the Nantahala Outdoor Center near Bryson City for whitewater rafting and paddling; climbing in Linville Gorge with Fox Mountain Guides in Brevard; cycling Tsali Recreation Area, renting bikes from Tsali Cycles in Bryson City; and sightseeing at Art Loeb Trail in Pisgah Forest.
Another article in Men's Journal, "Cool Off This Summer in the Country's Best Swimming Holes, " included Turtle Hole at Eno River State Park in Durham. The article explains, "Outdoor enthusiasts flock to North Carolina's Eno River State Park to take advantage of its backcountry camping, rapids paddling, fly-fishing, and nearly 30 miles of hiking trails. But one of its lesser-known attractions is Turtle Hole. Typically free of crowds, the secret swimming hole is a local favorite and is one of five access points scattered throughout the park. The swimming basin is also known as Sennett's or Synott's Hole. It earned its reptilian moniker due to the seven turtle species that live in the surrounding area. Framed by lush greenery and serene shores, it provides an idyllic pause from the hustle and bustle of city life." |
September hits the Open Road
The September issue of Our State magazine features "Stories from the Open Road." "Downtown" visits Elkin; "Brewery" lifts a glass at Appalachian Mountain Brewing; and "Museum" tours Lake Waccamaw Depot Museum in Lake Waccamaw. The September issue is available now.
|
For the week of Sept. 3 on "North Carolina Weekend," the program repeats the episode that originally aired July 1, which highlighted "finding your adventures." Features include the newest section, in Cary, for the American Tobacco Trail Greenway; Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City; Cashie River Treehouses in Windsor; cycling Mount Mitchell near Burnsville; Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area in Hiddenite; and River Girl Fishing Company in Todd.(Check local listings; segments are subject to change.) "North Carolina Weekend" is underwritten by Visit North Carolina. In addition, UNC-TV 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. |
|
|
|
|
