Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners, September 29, 2021 |
|
| IN THIS ISSUE:
* Promotion campaign to Canadian travel agents sees strong response, interest in N.C. * Opportunities available to partner with Visit NC at 2022 in-person consumer travel shows * N.C.-filmed ‘One Summer’ premieres this Sunday on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries |
|
Visit NC promotion campaign to Canadian travel agents sees strong response, interest in N.C. As part of the efforts to engage Canadian travel agents in promoting and bringing awareness to North Carolina’s offerings, Visit North Carolina and Travelweek Canada partnered on a promotional campaign to “Get Back to a Better Place” through a sponsored trip giveaway and online content. The campaign focused on driving visitors to Visit NC’s website and ultimately, inspiring Canadians to choose the state as its next destination. The campaign received 270 entries for the prize giveaway with the winner being a member of Merit Travel Group.” Travelweek has been keeping travel agents up-to-date with the latest news for more than 40 years. In addition to the weekly printed Travelweek publication, there’s the monthly Travel Professional, and many digital marketing channels like Travelweek Daily newsletter. They reach more than 50,000 industry professionals through their print publication and daily e-newsletters; its website has more than 190,000 UVM.
To find out more about Visit NC’s international marketing efforts, contact Heidi Walters. |
|
Opportunities available to partner with Visit NC at 2022 in-person consumer travel shows
Visit NC will be back to attending in-person consumer shows in 2022 and still has space for partners at three shows. These consumer shows offer additional opportunities for Visit NC - and its interested partners - for promoting travel to North Carolina to potential visitors who are actively looking for travel suggestions and information. The past shows saw a solid amount of traffic and attendance of nearly 20,000 consumers, travel agents, bloggers and travel writers. The 2022 consumer shows Visit NC is scheduled to attend are
* Jan. 21-23 – AAA Travel Show in Pittsburgh, Penn. - 3 spots available * Jan. 28-30 – (new show for 2022) Travel & Adventure Show in New York, N.Y. - 5 spots available * Feb. 4-6 – North Coast Golf & Travel Show in Philadelphia, Penn. - 5 spots available * Feb. 25-27 – Travel & Adventure Show in Washington, D.C. – Full The cost to attend is $250 per partner for the AAA and Golf shows; $850 per partner for the Travel & Adventure Shows. Visit NC is requiring 100 percent participation for "staffing" at each of the consumer travel shows. Please confirm your attendance by Oct. 18 if you'd like to participate in any of these shows, contact Andre Nabors at (919) 447-7771. |
|
N.C.-filmed ‘One Summer’ premieres this Sunday on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries The N.C.-filmed made-for-TV movie “One Summer” will premiere on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel this Sunday (Oct. 3). Filmed earlier this year, the production was estimated to have a direct in-state spend of at least $3.5 million and was approved for a rebate via the NC Film and Entertainment Grant. The project features locations from New Hanover and Brunswick counties, including Old Baldy Lighthouse at Bald Head Island. “One Summer” is the one of five Hallmark-affiliated made-for-TV movies that has filmed in North Carolina since 2019. View the film’s “Preview” and “On Location” videoshere. |
|
‘Hollywood East Rebounds’ The Wilmington Business Journal interviewed N.C. Film Office Director Guy Gaster for its “C-Suite Convo: Hollywood East Rebounds” this past Monday. The Q&A was a follow-up to news announced in August noting productions have spent a record-setting $409 million this year in North Carolina. “Not only is the figure the biggest since the ‘grant’ program began,” Gaster noted, “It is also the largest since the state has started offering any type of incentive and is definitely the highest when looking at actual figures provided by the productions themselves.” Much of that spending – about $300 million – has taken place in the Wilmington region. Gaster explained some of the reasons for the increase film activity, and the importance of the Film & Entertainment Grant Program. In addition, he discussed the importance of the state’s crew infrastructure, including training, plus “what’s ahead” for the N.C. Film Office. The article appeared in WBJ’s print edition and digital/online, too. |
|
Research shows vaccination status will likely influence holiday travel plans The vaccination status of Americans is likely to influence how holidays are spent this year according to a recent Harris Poll. The study reports that half of vaccinated respondents to the recent poll are either extremely or considerably hesitant to spend the holidays with unvaccinated family members or friends. More than 40 percent of respondents also said they had canceled at least one event or existing travel plan they had with people because they were unvaccinated. The poll suggests that the vaccine divide is not only changing relationships, but will change the holiday travel season as well. While travelers may be considering cancelling holiday travel, it doesn’t appear that decisions have firmly been made yet. Recent data from Destination Analysts shows that tentatively scheduled overnight trips for December are up more than twenty percent from two weeks ago. As well, excitement for leisure travel for the next 12 months continues to be high. |
|
According to Destination Analysts, the majority of American travelers support regulations to enhance traveler safety. Mask requirements continue to be supported by more than two-thirds of travelers, and by a nearly 4-to-1 ratio, more travelers support the reintroduction of masking requirements than those who oppose requirements. Vaccine mandates for indoor activities are also strongly supported by many of the traveling public. |
|
Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. |
|
TMP certification via STS' Marketing College awarded to 4 in N.C. During Southeast Tourism Society's Connections this week, STS recognized the latest graduates of its Marketing College, which included several in N.C. Granville County TDA's Angela Allen, Beech Mountain TDA's Kate Gavenus, Camden County TDA's Sarah Hill and Blowing Rock TDA's Amanda Lugenbell completed the three-year Marketing College curriculum, receiving a Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) certification. For nearly 30 years, STS Marketing College has been providing a continuing education program for the travel and tourism industry. |
|
Vote for North Carolina small towns among the Best Small Towns North Carolina has several entities among the nominations for four 10Best's Readers' Choice Awards categories for the Best Small Towns. Online voting by readers is now open via USAToday.com; click on the hyperlink to vote. Voting ends Oct. 25 at noon |
|
Frontier Airlines announces flight from Cancun to RDU Frontier Airlines announced yesterday (Tuesday) new nonstop flights from Cancun International Airport in Mexico to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The Saturday-only flight, connecting CUN and RDU, is slated to begin January 22, reported WTVD-TV. |
|
RDU, CLT among top airports for passenger satisfaction J.D. Power has announced the results of its 2021 North America Airport Satisfaction Study – and two N.C. airports made two lists. Of the “large airports,” Raleigh-Durham International Airport ranked #3 for passenger satisfaction. Of the “mega airports,” Charlotte Douglas International Airport ranked #11. The 2021 North America Airport Satisfaction Study measures overall traveler satisfaction with mega and large North American airports by examining six factors (in order of importance): terminal facilities; airport arrival/departure; baggage claim; security check; check-in/baggage check; and food, beverage and retail. Mega airports are those with 33 million or more passengers per year; large airports with 10 to 32.9 million passengers per year. Medium airports, 4.5 to 9.9 million passengers per year, weren’t ranked this time due to reduced passenger volume. |
|
WineTraveler.com included Divine Llama Vineyards in East Bend in its “10 Unique Wineries & Experiences You Must Try Around The World." Of Divine Llama, the article noted, "A two-mile trek with llamas, followed by a wine tasting, might not be the most obvious way to spend a day off, but it is memorable." It goes on to quote another media member, who said, “It’s nice having a furry companion to keep you company as you walk the beautiful property. Be sure to head to the tasting room for some of the area’s best wines. We were lucky enough to see some baby llamas in the barn. The wide-eyed faces are indelible in my memory.” |
|
October issue offers ‘Annual Mountain Issue’ The October issue of Our State magazine offers its “Annual Mountain Issue,” including a photo essay on the Blue Ridge Parkway. “Downtown” explores Lenoir; “Getaway” goes to Lakeview on Fontana; “Shopkeep” spotlights Red Oak Wood Shop in Rocky Mount; and “Restaurants” samples Tex’s Fish Camp in Connelly Springs. The October issue is available now. |
|
‘North Carolina Weekend’
For the week of Sept. 30, "North Carolina Weekend" repeats its June 3 episode, which showcased sites in “The Foothills.” Segments feature The Reeves Theatre & Cafe in Elkin; Fading D Farm in Salisbury; Traphill; and Wilkesboro; plus a segment on Yadkin Valley Wines, featuring Childress Vineyards in Lexington and JOLO Winery in Pilot Mountain. (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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
