Tag Archive for: #visitnc

Warren County Tourism Dollars Up From 2021

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Visitors to Warren County spent $63.01 million in 2021, an increase of 27 percent from 2020. The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

In 2021, visitor spending in Warren County grew 68 percent from spend pre-pandemic spending levels; prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the county saw $31 million spent in 2019, when Warren County had the highest growth from pre-pandemic levels than any other county in the state.

Visitor spending includes lodging (including second home spending), food and beverage, recreation, retail, and transport.

“Our residents and businesses know that Warren County is a special place; visitors have recognized this for years as well,” said Charla Duncan, director of Warren County Community & Economic Development. “Warren County’s travel and visitor industry has been able to demonstrate continued resilience, and even come out in a better position than we were before our COVID challenges.”

Duncan said Warren County’s natural and cultural assets continue to draw visitors to the county. They are a “stable, safe and desirable resource for visitors,” she added.

In both 2019 and 2020, Warren County was recognized for topping the state in visitor spending growth from the previous years.

Visitor impact highlights for 2021

  • The travel and tourism industry directly employees more than 232 people in Warren County.
  • Total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Warren County was $10.8 million.
  • Visitor spending totals $3.5 million to the tax base in Warren County.

“Our existing businesses are continuing to see a positive impact from our tourism draw, and we hope that potential businesses can look at this growth and see the value of operating in Warren County as well,” Duncan noted.

These statistics come from the “Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2021,” which can be accessed at partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics in collaboration with the U.S. Travel Association.

Statewide, visitor spending in 2021 rebounded by 44.9 percent to reach $28.9 billion. Following the devastating pandemic-related losses of the 2020, the total fell just short of the record $29.22 spent in 2019. Direct tourism employment increased 10.5 percent to 197,500.

“These findings are something that everyone in North Carolina can celebrate,” said Visit NC Director Wit Tuttell. “They’re a testament to the resilience of our businesses and our residents, and to the enduring appeal of destinations that include everything a traveler might want. The economic well-being of the state and all its communities rises with the pleasures travelers find in the natural beauty of our public spaces, our culinary traditions and innovation, our remarkable towns and our spirited cities. North Carolina can claim it all.”

NC Dept of Agriculture

Fun planned at agritourism farms this fall

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RALEIGH – The start of fall is just a week away, and agritourism farms across the state are ready to open their doors to visitors. There are more than 700 agritourism farms across the state, and many are hosting fall activities ranging from pumpkin patches and corn mazes to harvest festivals and grape stomps.

Following is a list of some of the special fall events:

Western North Carolina

  • Ashe County Farmers Market in West Jefferson will hold its Fall Harvest Festival Sept. 30 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event includes a corn-shucking contest, fall recipes, an apple press demonstration, antique farm equipment and more.
  • Red Wolf Farm in Maiden is celebrating the opening of its new location at Hwy. 321, exit 33. The farm will host its Pumpkin Patch and Adventure Maze Saturdays and Sundays in October, with a pumpkin patch, hayrides, horseback rides, farm animals and more.

Triad

  • Howard Family Farm in Harmony will host its annual corn maze and pumpkin patch. The farm opens to the public Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 23 through Oct. 29. Other dates are available for school groups, birthday parties, corporate events and large groups.
  • Kersey Valley Attractions in Archdale will have a Maize Adventure corn maze on Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 17 through Nov. 4.
  • Miss Angels Farm in Mount Airy will offer pumpkin and apple picking Fridays through Sundays starting Sept. 30 to Oct. 31. In addition, the farm will offer haunted attractions from 8 to 11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 30 to Oct. 31.
  • Mitchell’s Nursery & Greenhouse in King will host a Fall Open House Sept. 30 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with more than 1,600 mums, 100,000 pansies and violas, as well as perennials, fall vegetables and more.
  • Patterson Farm in Mount Ulla will kick off its Fall Fun on the Farm weekend events Sept. 23. The farm also will offer various educational tours for school groups and weekday afternoon hayrides from Oct. 2-31.
  • Raynay Alpaca Farm in Ruffin will host its National Alpaca Farm Day event Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can tour the working alpaca farm, learn about the animals and visit the farm store. Admission is free.
  • Ridenour Ranch in Thurmond will have a “Pickin’ in the Pumpkin Patch” event Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include pick-your-own pumpkins, hay rides, llama walks and more.

Triangle

  • 1870 Farm in Chapel Hill will host a series of fall workshops for all ages throughout October, and offer haunted hay rides Oct. 26-30.
  • Adams Vineyards in Willow Spring will host its 10th annual Grape Stomp Sept. 16 from 1-3 p.m. The event includes a stomping contest, an “I Love Lucy” lookalike competition, grape picking and more.
  • Lazy O Farm in Smithfield will have a Trick or Treating in the Maze event Oct. 28 from noon to 5 p.m. Children are encouraged to wear their costumes and visit the farm for a family friendly event featuring farm animals, hayrides, mazes and pumpkin picking.
  • Smith’s Family Fun Farm in Hillsborough will open its seasonal pumpkin patch Sept. 29-Oct. 31. In addition, the farm will have a sunflower maze, play area and tractor rides. All activities are included with purchase of a pumpkin.
  • William Lyon’s Blueberry and Pumpkin Farm in Creedmoor features more than eight acres of fun with pumpkin picking, hayrides and corn mazes. The farm is open to the public on weekends in October from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Field trips are also welcomed during the week.

Agritourism farms are found in nearly every county of the state. Consumers looking for a farm experience can go to www.visitncfarms.com for a full directory.