Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners - September 7, 2022

IN THIS ISSUE:


* Visit NC’s webinar tomorrow focuses on accessibility 

* Visit NC PR work, supported trips bring success

* Latest N.C.-filmed Hallmark movie debuts this Sunday

Visit NC’s webinar tomorrow focuses on accessibility

 

Tomorrow (Thursday) at 10 a.m., Visit NC’s monthly webinar will feature a presentation on accessibility in your destination and marketing and how you can improve in these areas. The webinar will take a deeper dive into Visit Raleigh's recent assessment with partners for the All-Access Wake County program as well as their preparation for hosting the 2022 Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) Conference. Register online.

Visit NC PR-organized road trip leads to barbecue spread in Nat Geo UK

 

In its Autumn issue, National Geographic Traveller Food shared the North Carolina barbecue story, the result of a visit arranged by Visit NC’s PR team with hospitality from destination partners. The seven-page feature “On the Trail of True 'Cue” by the U.K. magazine covered the journey of a writer and photographer as they traveled from Lexington to Durham, Pitt and Wayne counties to feast at 10 barbecue joints and followed the story’s arc from the distant past to modern times. Drawing on the authority of Dr. John Shelton Reed and Dan Levine of TrueCue.org (“The Campaign for Real Barbecue”), the duo explored the history, traditions and techniques that flavor North Carolina’s wood-smoked pork and signature side dishes.


Meals at the Barbecue Center in Lexington, Backyard BBQ and Picnic in Durham, Skylight Inn in Ayden and B’s in Greenville, Grady’s Barbecue in Dudley and elsewhere led to this conclusion: “For many born here, barbecue symbolizes home. It embodies a culture that dates back to before North Carolina was even a state. It represents agriculture, politics, religion, family gatherings. You can get a hamburger anywhere in the world, but true chopped pork barbecue? That’s only in North Carolina.” Partners supporting the visit included the Lexington TA, Discover Durham, the Greenville-Pitt County CVB and Goldsboro Wayne County Tl & T. The magazine’s print circulation is 45,726; future posting at nationalgeographic.co.uk will extend the reach to nearly 700,000 unique monthly visitors. 

CNN salutes Durham after Visit NC PR team-supported trip

 

Durham was featured by CNN as one of “22 of the USA's most underrated destinations,” thanks to a stay in the Bull City as part of a multi-destination trip organized by Visit NC’s PR team. “From its days as a tobacco factory town, Durham has evolved into a science, art, sports and entertainment hub that revolves around a reenergized downtown and reimagined American Tobacco Campus,” the online post stated. “The Durham Bulls – the nation's most famous minor league baseball team – play their often-sold-out games at a spiffy little downtown stadium. At the Duke Lemur Center, visitors can walk through giant forest habitats helping to preserve some of the planet's rarest mammals. Meanwhile, the city's craft brewery and distillery scene is outta sight.” Discover Durham hosted the visit. CNN.com attracts more than 126 million unique monthly visitors.

Post-visit feature cites Randolph County among ‘hauntingly beautiful’ places

 

A new roundup by Fodor’s Travel, which followed a visit supported by Visit NC’s PR team, turned the spotlight on Randolph County for travelers seeking Halloween-season scares. “The 12 Most Hauntingly Beautiful Cities in the US” touted not only Kersey Valley’s Spookywoods in Archdale but also Purgatory Mountain, whose trailheads include the N.C. Zoo. The online piece also cited the story of The Hunter, “an awful manhunter turned angry ghost … who still haunts this hill with his massive hulking form appearing in the woods only lit by the phantom fire burning in his lifeless eyes.” For accommodations, the writer recommended the Getaway Asheboro cabins, where she stayed on a recent visit hosted by the Heart of North Carolina VB. Fodors.com attracts more than 2.2 million unique monthly visitors.

Latest N.C.-filmed Hallmark movie debuts this Sunday

 

The N.C.-filmed “To Her, with Love” is set to premiere this Sunday (Sept. 11) at 9 p.m. on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel. The TV production, about a teacher who returns to her old high school and helps revive its arts program, filmed primarily in Rowan County and was approved for a rebate via the N.C. Film & Entertainment Grant. The production is anticipated to have a direct in-state spend of more than $3.5 million. To learn more about the project, including a special “on location” video, click here.

ASU Travel and Tourism students learn about Visit NC

 

Visit NC's Suzanne Brown spoke virtually to the Appalachian State University Travel and Tourism class this week. Brown gave an overview of Visit NC, its programs, and its focus on partnerships with DMOs and other organizations.

Research confirms there’s still a need for business travel

 

Recent research from CoStar’s Hotel News Now Daily Update reports that while Zoom and hybrid meetings are still prevalent, the need for business travel remains. However, booking windows remain short due to fewer shoulder nights (Thursday and Sunday). Hotel occupancy by business travelers is leveling, but rates remain strong. Larger volume corporate travel still lags pre-pandemic levels, but there appears to be strong mid-market and local account performance. 

 

Hotels are predicting that business travelers will take fewer trips with longer stays, thus maximizing the times that they are on the road. Some hotels are also noticing business travelers who are seeking efficiencies such as self-check-in and grab-and-go food offerings for a more streamlined experience. 


Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through Newslink with links to available studies. 

‘North Carolina Weekend’

 

For the week of Sept. 8, "North Carolina Weekend” repeats “Tastes of the State,” which originally aired July 7. Featured segments include Michael Lee, chef and founder of the four M restaurants in Durham; Crawford Cookshop in Clayton; Black Farmers’ Markets in Durham and Raleigh; The Rural Seed Restaurant in Columbus; and Leon’s Burger Express in Mount Airy. (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. 

Upcoming industry meetings & events

 

through Sept. 9 - STS Connections / TTRA Southeast States, Concord

Sept. 8 – Visit NC monthly webinar: Accessibility

Sept. 15 - NCAF&E Fall Seminar, High Point

Sept. 21-22 – Blue Ridge Parkway Assn. Fall Meeting, Bristol, Tenn.

Oct. 1-8 – Cycle NC Mountains to Coast Ride

Oct. 13 – Visit NC monthly webinar: Assets for Tourism-Related Businesses

Oct. 13 – Visit NC TRAC, Ocracoke

Oct. 17-19N.C. Recreation & Parks Assn. Conference, Greenville

Oct. 24-27TEAMS Conference, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Nov. 7-9 -World Travel Market, London

Nov. 8 – Visit NC monthly webinar

Nov. 13-16 - NTA Travel Exchange, Reno, Nev.

Nov. 17 – Visit NC TRAC, Marion

Nov. 27-30 - Travel South International Showcase, Louisville, Ky.

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