Tourism Update Presented to the City Council of Elizabeth City August 25, 2014
Tourism Economic Impact Tourism is a multimillion dollar industry in Elizabeth City In 2013, domestic tourism in Pasquotank County*: Generated an economic impact of $55.04 million Travel generated a $8.13 million in payroll State and local tax revenues amounted to $4.19 million More than 460 jobs were directly attributable to travel and tourism *Source: The Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties prepared for the North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development by the US Travel Association
Lodgings Provide Jobs 164 employees work in 15 hotels, motels, B&Bs and Inns
Funding Mission The purpose of the Elizabeth City Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (ECACVB) is to increase travel to Pasquotank County generating revenues and improving the economy of the county. The TDA is funded by a six percent occupancy tax collected monthly The first three percent is broken down into three parts to be used to support the mission: Fifty percent to promote travel and tourism Twenty five percent for tourism related expenditures recommended by the City Council of Elizabeth City and approved by the TDA. Twenty-five percent for tourism related expenditures recommended by the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners and approved by the TDA. The second three percent is divided into two parts. The TDA must use two-thirds of the funds to promote travel and tourism and shall use the remainder for tourism-related expenditures.
Events Development Welcomed the Great Race to town in June 2014 Promoted Potato Festival s expansion to three days Supported Art Splash in June Assisted ECSU with two homecomings, athletic events, meetings, etc.
Sports Promotion Assisted South Park in welcoming about 600 teams and numerous children and families for trainings and camps Helped with news coverage of the Elizabeth City 300 National Truck and Tractor Pull known for its outstanding track attracts drivers and their families from North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Maryland, and Georgia
Partnership Building Continued the advertising co-op with 20+ partners Rose Buddies program continued to welcome boaters Co-hosted the ECSU Community Radio Show on WRVS with Clay Mercer Engaged higher education through Collegiate Affairs Committee Mayor, Chamber and Tourism met with students from Elizabeth City State University, Mid-Atlantic Christian University, and the College of the Albemarle
Program Recognition 2013 NC Main Street Awards to Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc. More awards that year than any other community Best Downtown Special Event: Ghost Walk Rich Olson named Main Street Champion Best Downtown Image Building Campaign: Elizabeth City HAS It! Charlotte Underwood, Director of Tourism Rhonda Twiddy, Director of Arts of the Albemarle Rebecca Cross, Director of Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc.
EC in the Media Featured on Today in America with Terry Bradshaw Media coverage Northern VA magazine article Recreation News article WUNC-TV s NC Weekend coverage of ArtWalk WRAL-TV in Raleigh interview with Margie Berry in front of Nell Cropsey House for Ghost Walk Virginian-Pilot article on Reel to Reel Our State interviewed both Andy Montero for Montero s Restaurant and Bobby Plough for Cypress Creek Grill
Communications HAS It! blog grew visitation by 66% Wayfarer reached the region and beyond with news of EC every other month NC Division of Tourism visited to photograph the harbor Represented EC at the Charlotte media mission New informational parking lot sign New website
New Website Why relaunch? Primary strategies Showcase attractions and events Create an interactive calendar Expand blog Highlight promotions Develop databases to streamline content management Design CMS to be user-friendly so staff can update independently Increase visibility in search engine results
Let s Visit! DiscoverElizabethCity.com
What do Visitors Say? Autumn and Zane Hall were the winners from among the 10,000 entries in the Our State Magazine contest. They were so impressed with the Ghost Walk and the caliber of acting in our town. From talking about how Andy and Mel at Foreman House B&B were such great hosts to all of the places they ate and visited with the highlight of the weekend being Ghost Walk. They had such a great time! A belated thank you for your wonderful hospitality while our daughter took the SAT's. We truly enjoyed the Farmer's Market, the museum, the library, and the hydroplane races. Everyone we met at Elizabeth City was kind and welcoming. It is a truly wonderful place. Many, many thanks. -- Chris, Andy, Rachel, Jake and Eli Elizabeth City has a reputation as a "must stop" among cruisers and now we understand why. You folks are the BEST! Please continue this tradition so others may experience your fine city!-- Pete and Joanne Wilson