RALEIGH, N.C. (May 14, 2014) — North Carolina is fueling up to host two iconic NASCAR events: the 30th annual NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and Coca-Cola 600. The events kick off a series of motorsports-related tourism offerings throughout the state for the 2014 season and cap off “Motorsports Month” as proclaimed by Governor Pat McCrory in recognition of the more than one million fans who attend racing events in North Carolina each year. The North Carolina Division of Tourism has …
Category: Tourism
Greensboro awarded National Folk Festival for the next 3 years
Greensboro has been chosen to host the National Folk Festival for a three-year stay in 2015, 2016 and 2017. The National Folk Festival is the nation’s longest-running traditional arts event, a three-day, free outdoor multicultural celebration of music, dance and traditional arts which historically draws as many as 150,000 attendees by the third year of its residency, along with an economic impact of $15 to $30 million a year. The traveling festival’s three-year stay is designed to lay the groundwork …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of May 8 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, take yourself out to the ballpark with a baseball game at the Charlotte Knights new stadium. Go exploring along the Carolina Thread Trail, a network of greenways, trails and blueways that reaches 15 counties and 2 states. Tempt your taste buds at Ashe County Cheese in West Jefferson. Enjoy a tour of Southport. And relax with the halotherapy of the Salt Spa in Asheville. (Please note: listings are subject …
NC Tourism Division office lobby promotes Lake Gaston area
The Lake Gaston Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center is using the lobby of the Division’s Raleigh offices through June 30 to showcase its area’s attractions, activities and festivals. The display features a wakeboard and quilts along with brochures for Medoc Mountain State Park in Hollister, Sylvan Heights Bird Park in Scotland Neck, Riverside Mill in Weldon plus a driving tour of Warren County. Lake Gaston, of course, is also featured, including a brochure looking back at the lake’s 50th …
N.C. celebrates record visitor spending, impact of state’s tourism industry
Gov. Pat McCrory announced Wednesday that the North Carolina tourism industry generated record visitor spending in 2013. The $20.2 billion in domestic visitor spending represents a 4.1 percent increase from 2012. “The growth of our tourism industry gives us a lot to celebrate,” Gov. McCrory said. “We attracted 52.5 million travelers from across the United States last year because of our great tourist destinations. The money they spent while visiting our mountains, beaches, cities, and places in between directly supported …
Cameras roll in Wilmington region
Wilmington will live up to its nickname this week, as three more productions start filming in locations throughout “Hollywood East,” bringing the total number of in-production projects to four. While filming continues on Under the Dome, which started production for its second season in March, three more productions roll cameras this week, with a lot of activity focused downtown. Max Steel, How and Why and The Sin Seer all started production this week, setting the scene for lots of lights, …
NCAA Tournament weekend generates $4.2M for Triangle economy
Second and third-round NCAA Tournament games held in Raleigh’s PNC Arena helped generate more than $4 million, according to the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance. About 17,000 people visited the Triangle during the first full weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Total attendance for the three sessions at PNC Arena was 53,172. A ZIP code study showed that 71 percent of ticket-buyers were from outside of the Triangle; 59 percent of ticket-buyers were from out of state. Visiting fans accounted for more …
Welcome Centers plan activities for National Tourism Week, May 3-11
North Carolina’s nine Welcome Centers celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week, May 3-11, by inviting travel partners to help thank North Carolina’s visitors for traveling here. Attractions and accommodations are invited to contact individual Welcome Center managers to coordinate participation in Tourism Day; there is no charge to participate, but space is limited and reservations are required. Welcome Center Tourism Week celebrations are scheduled for May 7, at I-40 West in Haywood County and at I-77 North in Surry County; …
First quarter lodging data reveals continued growth for North Carolina
First quarter data reveals a positive start to the year in terms of lodging. Occupancy growth during this time period was nearly 4 percent, as compared to less than one percent one year ago. Room rates continue to grow at a slightly higher rate as well (+4 YTD 2014 vs. +3 YTD 2013). North Carolina occupancy was ahead of that of the U.S. and South Atlantic (U.S. +3; South Atlantic +3). Room demand, perhaps the most significant indicator in terms …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of May 1 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, join “Collecting Carolina” with a visit to Ayrmount in Hillsborough. Enjoy a tour of Historic Yanceyville. Take in the sights and sounds at the Smithfield Ham & Yam Festival in Smithfield. Step back in time at The Island Farm, a living history site in Manteo. And the “House Special” samples the fare at The Claddagh Restaurant & Pub in High Point. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North …
Edenton, Tarboro Named Official Retirement Communities
RALEIGH, NC — The North Carolina Department of Commerce announced today that Tarboro and Edenton have been designated Certified Retirement Communities. The General Assembly established the program in 2008 to designate communities that offer unprecedented quality of living that is desirable to retirees. “This designation will be a valuable economic development tool for both Tarboro and Edenton and their residents,” said Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker. “The people of Tarboro and Edenton recognize the valuable contributions that retirees can make to …
RDU opens renovated Terminal 1
After nearly two years and $68 million, a new and more modern Terminal 1 is now open at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Travelers began using the renovated terminal last Sunday morning with the first departing flight going out at 6 a.m. Passengers will notice more natural light and open spaces when going through Terminal 1. Crews moved columns and walls to give the terminal, which was originally designed as a hangar, a more open feel. And for traveling convenience, Terminal 1 …
Moogfest bets on economic development
Mike Adams, president and CEO of Moog Music, which is Moogfest’s prime sponsor, is betting serious money the revamped festival that opens April 23 in Asheville is not just going to attract thousands of music fans and tech geeks. If successful, the five-day event could become Asheville’s next signature event, possibly bringing new jobs, better wages and high-growth tech companies to the mountains. Moogfest organizers believe a successful festival will brand Asheville and the rest of North Carolina as a …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of April 17 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, tempt all of your senses at the BBQ Festival on the Neuse in Kinston. “Collecting Carolina” explores Hope Plantation in Windsor. Be amazed at the Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival in Spruce Pine. Step back in time at the Hezekiah Alexander Homesite in Charlotte. And the “House Special” samples the fare at Four Winds Café in Climax. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is …
Winners Selected in Brand North Carolina Project
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Commerce and Secretary Sharon Decker congratulate the winners and finalists in two contests that engaged North Carolinians in the work to develop a new brand for marketing the state. The winners were announced Saturday April 12 at a ceremony at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh. Sara Cowell from Greenville won first prize in the “What N.C. Stands For” contest, an open, crowd sourcing effort to capture the state’s brand in …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of April 10 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, get in tune at the N.C. Ukulele Academy in Wilmington. Laugh along with the Charlotte Comedy Theater in Charlotte. Tempt your taste buds at Round Mountain Creamery in Black Mountain. Step back in time at the Grifton Historical Museum in Grifton. And enjoy a tour of the expansion renovations and additions at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is …
Civil War Trails Guide Adds Stops for Final Sesquicentennial Year
RALEIGH, N.C. (April 7, 2014) — The North Carolina Division of Tourism today unveiled a new statewide Civil War Trails guide that will direct travelers across the state during the final year of the 150th anniversary observance. “The release of the new map is well-timed to draw attention to the most under-told story of the war,” said Wit Tuttell, Executive Director of the Division of Tourism, Film & Sports Development. “Fort Fisher, Bentonville, the surrender of troops in Durham — …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of April 3 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, compare the Easter bonnets with all the frills upon them at the Easter Hat Parade in Dillsboro. Test your endurance via the cyclists at the Belmont Criterium in Belmont. Step back in time at Historic Gold Hill in Gold Hill. Take a walk on the wild side at the WNC Nature Center in Asheville. And the “House Special” samples the fare at Lucky 32 in Greensboro. (Please note: listings …
Cycle North Carolina “Mountains to Coast” route includes Oxford Stop
N.C. Commerce Sec. Sharon Decker has announced the 2014 Cycle North Carolina “Mountains to Coast” route with the help of town representatives at the Division of Tourism offices in Raleigh. The 16th annual ride, scheduled Sept. 27-Oct. 4, will begin in Sparta with overnight stops in Mount Airy, Reidsville, Oxford, Roanoke Rapids, Edenton, Manteo, and then finish in Hatteras Village. More than 1,000 bicyclists from 35 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada participated in last …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of March 27 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, set sail with PirateFest in Greenville. “Collecting Carolina” visits Hillsborough. Lift a glass at the Blue Ridge Wine Festival in Blowing Rock. Go outdoors with Inner Banks Outfitters in Washington. And experience a variety of art at The Creative Center in Greensboro. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by the N.C. Division of Tourism. In addition, UNC-TV has made recent editions of North …