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APRIL LUNCHEON FOLLOW UP:
Thanks to the Blockade Runner for hosting our April luncheon and to Avery J. Locklear for her presentation on legal issues affecting employment in the hospitality industry.
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There will be another seminar by Ms. Locklear on this topic; please see the invitation regarding an event to be held at the Flying Machine Oyster Bar on May 22; light refreshments will be served. Please feel free to share this information with others in the field of hospitality industry management and/or attend yourself.
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Nicolas Montoya, General Manager of the Blockade Runner provided an overview of the Career and Leadership Development Academy Experience offered to middle school students in New Hanover County. The program is overseen by the Wtilmington Chamber of Commerce and funded by businesses in our area. While it has currently been offered to a select number or students, the plan is to be able to expand it to ALL students in that grade level.
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UPCOMING WAHA EVENTS; MARK YOUR CALENDERS.
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SPRING MIXER: May 15, 4:30pm-6:30pm at Ponysaurus
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JUNE LUNCHEON: June 19, ll:30am, Jason E. Brooks, keynote speaker for the hospitality industry
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NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK: MAY 19-20
Mark your calendars and plan to join the Wilmington and Beaches Hospitality/Tourism Industry for our annual celebratory Travel Rally to kick off the season prior to National Travel & Tourism Week (May 19-25, 2024).
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Please join the CVB, local hospitality/travel partners and elected officials as we salute travel and tourism in New Hanover County. A Travel Rally Breakfast & Celebration will be held Tuesday, May 14, 8:30am-10:30am at the Wilmington Convention Center (Complimentary Parking in the Wilmington Convention Center Parking Deck.) There is no cost to attend.
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This year’s celebration will feature:
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- Introduction of New Hanover County’s Tourism Destination Master Plan to create a vision for the future that aligns tourism development opportunities and impacts with community needs, balancing destination growth and resident quality of life. Individual beach community plans will provide additional research to more acutely identify opportunities and needs within each town.
- Announcement of a relaunch & rebrand of our destination training course; recognition of partners who have completed the training program.
- Tourism Star & Jane Peterson Tourism Legacy Awards
Please RSVP no later than May 7th to Kim Little at [email protected] or by calling 910-332-8756.
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SOUTHEAST ARTS SUMMIT
The Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County is hosting the inaugural Southeast Arts Summit, June 12-13, in the academic wing of the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College. Arts leaders from the Carolinas, Georgia, and Virginia will gather for an exciting lineup of influential arts leaders who will discuss contemporary issues affecting the arts in the American South. Guest speakers include Randy Cohen, Director of Research for Americans for the Arts, Jeff Bell, Executive Director of the North Carolina Arts Council, and Charles Phaneuf of South Arts. Register here
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This event is open to all who appreciate the value of art as an integral part of the “visitor experience” to our area
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WILMINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Vote daily! Wilmington international Airport has been nominated by Newsweek for their Readers’ Choice Award for “Best Small Airport!” Cast your vote daily through May 23 at 12 noon. We know it’s the best “small airport”; vote daily to make it official!
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VOTE FOR CAROLINA, KURE AND WRIGHSTVILLE BEACHES
Three island beaches in New Hanover County are nominess in the USA TODAY 10 Best Readers' Choice Award Contest in the categroy of Best Beach in North Carolina! Voting is from now through Monday, May 20 You can only vote once a day (and can alternate the beach you choose if you wish). The top 10 winners will be announced on Wednesday, May 29.
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VISIT NORTH CAROLINA:
The global travel market, especially from Europe, continues to rebound; in 2023, the numbers reached a “post-pandemic” recovery level of 80-90%; the expectation is that by 2025, inbound numbers from those countries will surpass 2019 levels (pre-pandemic). Germany is one of the countries in Europe that is showing growth in inbound travel to the US. Most recently Raleigh International Airport welcomed Lufthansa’s directly flights from Germany to Raleigh. One of the “characterizations” of German travelers is that they love the outdoors and are generally “active travelers”, which bodes well for our area!
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Visit NC’s monthly webinar for May welcomes the NC African American Heritage Commission to talk about its Civil Rights Marker program and available grants. The purpose is to mark sites critical to the Civil Rights Movement in North Carolina. Between 2021 and 2024, the commission will place 50 markers in counties across the state, highlighting and acknowledging civil rights efforts that are well known and, in some cases, unsung. The May webinar will be at 10 am on May 9. Click here to register.
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Want to expand your advertising and marketing dollars? Co-op marketing Partner Programs for 2024-2025 are now available. You can also contact [email protected], for details and assistance.
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP:
Annual Membership for WAHA is $150 per business, organization or individual. Payment for membership is now overdue (with membership retroactive to January 1). Luncheons are $35 per member and $45 per non-member. Click on either “join” or “renew” at Wilmington Area Hospitality Association. There are options to pay online or by check or, if required by your company, to print out an invoice.
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AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY:
The New Hanover County Committee for America 250 is currently considering what the county might present for grant money available through NC DNCR to promote our area’s history. There are also opportunities for non-profits and organizations to apply for additional grants. Be sure to sign up on the website to receive updates and further information. American history and historic attractions from Indian settlements to the history of World War II in Wilmington is comprehensive; we will have an opportunity to showcase the vast history of our area!
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TRAVEL IN THE NEWS:
One of the leading factors affecting travel decisions is cost. According to AAA, gas prices are sightly down due to less demand. However, that could change as we near Memorial Day. Thus far, this bodes well for summer drive traffic.
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New Data from the online booking Hopper site shows some favorable trends for travelers in the next few months, including slightly lower airfares compared with 2023 and hotel and car rental prices that are more or less flat year-over-year
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American Express offers tips on trends for 2024 travel. Trends range from “solo” trips to “last minute” planning. It’s worth considering how hospitality product can be “positioned” to fit the trends!
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