January 29, 2009 Issue
Revamped VisitNC.com Uses Latest Technology to Showcase State, Increase Tourism
Meeting in Blowing Rock January 29
The state’s newly redesigned tourism website, www.VisitNC.com, launched on January 14. The site, which is run by the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development, is aimed at today’s sophisticated Web user who can customize the site’s content and connect to more than 16,000 travel-related businesses, attractions and events across the state.
“This website provides a new tool as we begin working to revitalize our economy,” Governor Bev Perdue said. “Tourism is one of the state’s most vital industries, and increasing the number of visitors will boost our economy and help thousands of business owners, many of whom are small, independent, locally based entrepreneurs.”
Visitors spent more than $16 billion in North Carolina in 2007, generating more than 190,000 jobs. In addition, state and local tax revenues from visitor spending totaled more than $1.3 billion. More than 95 percent of inquiries first come in through the website, making it a critical tool for the state’s promotional efforts.
The new website celebrates the state’s diversity and range of activities, including spas and resorts; the growing culinary, wine and micro-brewery scenes; Native American culture and African-American heritage; golf; home-grown arts and crafts; cultural events and more.
VisitNC.com not only offers opportunities for users to customize content, but it also makes finding information simpler than ever with customized search features and easy-to-use Journeys, experience-based theme areas. Currently 23 Journeys showcase 303 articles, 43 videos, 849 photo images, 119 brochure downloads and 112 vacation ideas. The themes include North Carolina food and wine, the state’s vibrant cities and small towns, arts and artisans, historic sites, golf, outdoors and family fun, among others.
“This site drew more than 8 million visitors last year,” Perdue said. “This year, we expect it to receive more attention, which will position us to bring even more visitors to the state and our tourism-related businesses.”
New VisitNC.com Launch Includes Travel Guide Sweepstakes
The launch of the newly designed VisitNC.com corresponds with the first VisitNC.com sweepstakes of the year, Going Green In Greensboro, that includes a weekend getaway for four to Greensboro, with accommodations at Proximity Hotel (www.proximityhotel.com). The Proximity, a AAA Four Diamond luxury hotel, is the most environmentally friendly hotel in America and graces the cover of the 2009 Official North Carolina Travel Guide.
The Proximity has been awarded America’s first LEED® Platinum status for its emphasis on green construction and operation practices, such as using 100 rooftop solar panels for heating water and geothermal energy for the restaurant’s (Print Works Bistro) refrigeration equipment.
The package includes the following:
• Two rooms for two nights at the Proximity Hotel (for Friday, Saturday or Sunday); a $1,200 value, plus a $200 gift certificate to Print Works Bistro for dinner for four and breakfast each morning
• A $150 gift certificate to Lucky 32 Kitchen & Wine Bar
• Use of bikes at Proximity Hotel for rides along the adjacent Greenway
• A round of golf for four or tennis for four at Sedgefield Country Club, home of the Wyndham Championship
• A round of golf for four at the Champions Course at Bryan Park
• A boat ride around Lake Townsend
• Tickets for four to a concert, basketball tournament or similar event at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex (depending on when the package is redeemed)
• Tickets for four to a performance at Triad Stage (depending on when package is redeemed)
• A gift basket of locally grown food products and wine from the Greensboro Visitor Center (value $200)
• A $250 shopping spree and a private tour of Replacements, Ltd.
• Tickets to the Natural Science Center and new OmniSphere Theatre
Visitors who enter the sweepstakes at VisitNC.com or at 1-800-VISITNC through Saturday, February 28, can also receive the Official 2009 North Carolina Travel Guide free of charge. The sweepstakes is free and open to the public.
Click to
www.visitnc.com/sweeps/view/the-going-green-in-greensboro-sweepstakes to register to win.
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