Weekly e-newsletter for Visit NC partners - September 7, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Visit NC’s webinar next week features ‘What's New with Visit NC's Partner & Industry Relations’
* Visit NC’s TRAC coming to Concord Sept. 28
Visit NC’s webinar next week features ‘What's New with Visit NC's Partner & Industry Relations’
For its monthly webinar next week, 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 training; and the evolution of the TRAC (Tourism Resource Assistance Center) program. The webinar will be at 10 a.m. on Sept. 14; click here to register.
A previous TRAC in
Old Fort
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.
Research notes benefits, challenges for travelers to use electric vehicles
Recent research from Miles Partnership and Longwoods International on electric vehicle travel reports that 38 percent of U.S. adult travelers have used an electric vehicle to travel on a trip. Of those, 21 percent said they used an electric vehicle on an overnight trip of at least 50 miles away from home.
Travelers note that primary benefits for using an electric vehicle on a trip include being more environmentally friendly, personal financial benefits and improved car services. Eleven percent say they don’t see any significant benefits.
Challenges of using electric vehicles on a trip include difficulties in finding charging stations, lengthy charging times, limited driving range and wait times at charging stations.
More than three-quarters of travelers say it is important that travel destinations have a wide range of EV charging stations that are easy to access and use. Forty percent say charging stations that are free or inexpensive would increase the likelihood to visit a destination in an electric vehicle. Nearly 40 percent say charging stations that are convenient would increase usage on trips.
Visit NC will be providing frequent research updates through NewsLink with links to available studies.
The N.C. Oyster Trail is seeking information on events or special promotions for N.C. Oyster Month, recognized in October. The organization wants to “shellebrate”
the history, culture, economy, and ecology of oysters in North Carolina. This is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on oyster-related adventures, oyster businesses or educational programs. An event or promotion could include a kayak or paddleboard tour near an N.C. oyster farm, an N.C. oyster roast, a special dish featuring N.C. oysters served only during N.C. Oyster Month, or something else that features N.C. oysters. To be included in the N.C. Oyster Trail promotions, information must be submitted by Sept. 15. Events or local promotions may be submitted here.
Year of the Trail offers toolkit to help plan event for Great Trails State Day; website seeking events
The Year of the Trail is offering a toolkit to help promote an event for Great Trails State Day on Oct. 21. The toolkit provides a template for a Great Trails State Day proclamation for local communities and promotional options. In addition, the website suggests types of events, such as a scavenger hunt, trail tracker challenge, bike expo or tours, along with potential partnership groups. Events can be submitted to the Great Trails State Day website here.
Mitchell County TDA seeking an executive director
The Mitchell County TDA is seeking an executive director. View the job posting and application instructions via here. The deadline for applications is Sept. 21. Mitchell County TDA has created a new website as part of its efforts, branding itself as Discover Mitchell County.
Vote for N.C. nominations among ‘Best of Airports’
North Carolina has several nominations among different categories as part of USA Today’s 10Best’s “Best of Airports.” Daily online voting is open until noon on Oct. 2.
Best Airport Grab-and-Go Food – 1897 Market, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Charlotte
Best Sit-Down Restaurant – Whisky River, multiple locations (CLT, RDU and FLL in Fla.)
Best Airport Bar – Whisky River, multiple locations (CLT, RDU and FLL in Fla.)
United bringing Denver flight to AVL
United Airlines is bringing a flight from Denver International Airport to Asheville Regional Airport. The daily flight connecting DEN to AVL is slated to start Sept. 29.
For the week of Sept. 7, "North Carolina Weekend” highlights “Round the State,” which originally aired on April 27. Featured segments include the Blue Note Grill in Durham; the food scene on Harkers Island; the Dentzel Carousel in Burlington; Cliff Hangers in Mooresville; and Green Man Brewing 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.
Visit North Carolina is part of Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
150 Fayetteville St. Suite 1200 Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601, United States
