GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — North Carolina is becoming a huge tourist destination.
In 2022, the state recorded $33 billion in revenue from tourism. This week, tourism professionals from across the state are in Greenville talking about ways to continue that spending.
“North Carolina, we are the place to be,” said Governor Roy Cooper, the guest speaker at Monday’s session. “There is no doubt about it. We are also the place to visit and that’s what we are celebrating today.”
More than 500 tourism professionals work hard each day to make North Carolina a tourist destination. For Greenville, they’re glad to host this year’s conference. They’re networking with other professionals and also learning more about new tools like artificial intelligence.
“It’s just an opportunity to showcase our destination,” said Andrew Schmidt, the president and CEO of Visit Greenville, NC. “The people at this conference are professionals that have the opportunity to recommend for people to go different places, so it’s really an opportunity for us to show them and get more travelers to Greenville.”
Cooper said North Carolina has a lot to offer for people visiting.
“We have vibrant cities, we’ve got charming towns, welcoming communities,” he said. “We have attractions, sports and abundant natural beauty.”
Industry professionals said a little Southern charm also plays a part in bringing people to the Tar Heel state.
“Hospitality is key to people coming here,” said Wit Tuttell, the director of Visit North Carolina. “They want to have a welcoming opening spirit. We’re a state that welcomes everybody.”
Some local people and places make a difference. Sam Jones was honored as one of Visit NC’s awards winners for using barbecue as a way to market North Carolina.
“We’ve been able to take literally from what started as a hole in the ground in Ayden, North Carolina to crowds from Maui, Hawaii to Sweden and all points in between,” Jones said.
It’s all of these things that aren’t just bringing people to our state but it’s also investing back into the people who have been here all along.
“Your hospitality, your dedication, your hard work and your love for North Carolina, gets visitors to visit and then return year after year,” Cooper added. “You get people to live and work here, get people to retire here, get people to invest here. The tourism industry does help us put money in the pockets of North Carolina families.”
Visit Greenville, NC estimates that this conference has generated around $430,000 in local economic impact.
