COVID-19 - Industry Update 17:
June 2, 2020
Greetings to Travel Partners,
As crisis eases toward recovery and tourism/hospitality businesses adapt to a new normal, it is vital to keep informed of ever-evolving traveler sentiments, travel trends and industry safety guidance. The Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau continues to share the latest COVID-19 research, resources, and guidelines.
Current Update
Lodging & Beach Updates
:
Short-term lodging at Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach are open and beach activities are allowed; however, parking restrictions may vary. The City of Wilmington’s hotels, motels and short-term rentals are open; local restrictions were lifted May 29. For a detailed synopsis of each municipality’s status, please visit our updated COVID-19 Visitor Information page:
www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/covid-19-visitor-info/
COUNT ON ME NC Update: All Count on Me NC Covid-19 Business Training modules are now
live
for owners and staff of restaurants, hotels, attractions, and other businesses:
https://countonmenc.org/business-training
. This free, evidence-based COVID-19 training was developed by public health officials and food safety experts to provide a vital roadmap for reopening businesses. Each module contains best practices and procedures that will give your staff and guests the confidence that you’re doing everything possible to ensure their safety. At the completion of training, you’ll receive a printable Count On Me NC certificate and be featured on the list of participating businesses. You’ll also get access to a Count On Me NC toolkit that includes social media assets and other materials to help you show guests and staff that you’ve gone above and beyond to protect their well-being. The Wilmington and Beaches CVB encourages all businesses to register for and complete this free safety program, which will be included in our June 4 Tourism Recovery Webinar (see CVB Updates section, below).
New Hanover County Small Business Grant Program-Deadline June 5
:
Small businesses in New Hanover County (with fewer than 25 employees and whose owner lives in NHC) that have been impacted by COVID-19
can apply now through Friday, June 5
for a $10,000 grant through the Small Business Grant Program the county created, utilizing federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Funds can be used to hire or rehire employees, and for expenses related to providing social distancing and enhanced sanitation measures to ensure safe reopening.
Small businesses can apply now through Friday, June 5 at 5 p.m. to be placed in a lottery system that will randomly select the 130 awardees.
The application and instructions, which are available in English and Spanish, can be accessed here
:
https://health.nhcgov.com/SBgrants
.
Reopening and Safety Guidance
is available from various government organizations and trade associations. An extensive list (with links) was provided in last week’s Industry Update 16, which is now archived on our Hospitality Industry Resource page:
www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/covid-19-hospitality-resources
.
Additional guidance is included under the Reopening & Safety Guidance section, below.
New Travel Research
:
Below are updates from state and county officials, followed by CVB updates and helpful links.
State of North Carolina Updates:
New Hanover County / City of Wilmington Updates:
Wilmington and Beaches CVB Update:
REMINDER: A New Hanover County Tourism Recovery Webinar
will be hosted by the Wilmington and Beaches CVB on
Thursday, June 4, from 10 a.m. until 11:30 p.m.
Special guests will share the latest research and recovery initiatives: Kimberly Vince-Cruz, Vice President of Destination Analysts; Lynn Minges, Executive Director of the NC Restaurant & Lodging Association; and Wit Tuttell, Executive Director of Visit NC. Log-in information for the Zoom webinar was sent via email on Monday afternoon. Please email
c
[email protected]
if you did not receive the log-in details. Partners may also join via telephone by dialing +1 312 626 6799 (or) +1 646 876 9923. Webinar ID: 896 8140 2315; Password: 982820.
Ways You Can Assist the CVB
:
*Advise CVB when your business completes Count On Me NC safety training:
[email protected]
.
*Inform CVB of re-openings, occupancy, meeting/event status
*Respond to CVB surveys (always confidential)
Wilmington and Beaches COVID-19 Resource Pages:
TRAVEL INDUSTRY UPDATES & RESOURCES
NC Restaurant & Lodging Association
Updates:
ADDITIONAL COVID-19 RESOURCES:
REOPENING & SAFETY GUIDANCE:
Below, please find recently updated Guidance from government organizations and trade associations. For a list of prior Reopening and Safety guidelines, refer to Industry Update 16 (May 22, 2020) which can be accessed at
www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/covid-19-hospitality-resources
(scroll down to COVID-19 Industry Updates section).
ABC Commission Guidance for Phase 2 - Executive Order 141 (May 24, 2020):
*Temporary Extension of Premises Guidelines - Phase 2:
TRAVEL ADVISORIES:
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Thank you for keeping the CVB informed. Your feedback is very important and helps us to respond to industry needs and concerns as the situation evolves.
Be well and stay tuned,
Connie Nelson
PR/Communications Director
Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau
505 Nutt Street, Unit A
Wilmington, NC 28401
(P)(910) 341.4030 x120
New Hanover County’s tourism industry generates more than $613 million in annual economic impact, creates 6,470 jobs and contributes $54 million to the state and local tax bases. Each county resident saves an estimated $228.31 annually in taxes.
