— information courtesy of Warren County government
Warren County has its first tourism manager. Cherie Nielsen began in the new role on Tuesday, Mar. 4, which was created through a partnership with the county’s Tourism Development Authority and Community and Economic Development.
Nielsen brings a wealth of experience to the job that will help to enhance and expand tourism initiatives across the county, according to a press statement issued Friday.
“On behalf of the Warren County TDA and its members, it is my pleasure to welcome Cherie Nielsen as our new Tourism Manager,” stated Michael Hawkins, chair of the Warren County TDA board. “I am confident that her expertise and competencies can enable us to reach new heights with tourism in the county. I look forward to the changes or developments that she intends to bring about.”
As Tourism Manager, Nielsen said she will focus on increasing Warren County’s visibility as a travel destination while ensuring that tourism growth benefits the entire community, including rural residents and businesses.
“Tourism is a key economic driver, and I am committed to leveraging Warren County’s rich history, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities to attract visitors and support local businesses,” she stated.
Another goal is to strengthen connections between tourism and the larger community, recognizing the role of agritourism, local artisans and small businesses in driving sustainable economic growth.
Through strategic partnerships and innovative marketing, she plans to promote Warren County’s unique assets while creating opportunities for residents to engage in and benefit from tourism initiatives.
The tourism manager position is fully funded through the newly enacted occupancy tax, which went into effect on July 1, 2024. This funding allows for expanded tourism development efforts, marketing campaigns, and infrastructure improvements that will enhance visitor experiences and drive economic impact for the county. Occupancy taxes are levied on short-term lodging and related rentals and are paid by the visitor, not the property owner.
“Tourism has been a function of Warren County economic development for decades, but we have never had dedicated staff and dedicated funding to apply towards tourism initiatives,” said Charla Duncan, director of the County’s Community and Economic Development department. “For the past decade, we’ve seen year-over-year growth in travel-related expenditures in Warren County. With dedicated tourism resources, we look forward to bringing in more revenue to the county and to local businesses.”
Nielsen has experience with strategic planning, marketing and business development. Most recently, she served as the Project Associate Director for the Industrial Development Authority of Brunswick County, VA, where she played a pivotal role in securing funding, managing large-scale projects and fostering partnerships to revitalize the local economy. Her leadership contributed to business retention and expansion efforts, community development and the promotion of regional assets to attract investment.
Prior to that, Nielsen spent five years with the N.C. Department of Commerce as the Welcome Center manager in Warren County, where she led efforts to promote tourism across all 100 counties in North Carolina, connecting travelers with local attractions, businesses and cultural experiences. She also has experience in outdoor recreation and trail development, having served as the Trail Coordinator for the nonprofit Tobacco Heritage Trail before joining the Department of Commerce.
With a passion for rural economic development, Nielsen has also worked extensively in grant writing, nonprofit leadership, and advocacy.
For more information on the Warren County occupancy tax, visit https://www.warrencountync.com/876/Occupancy-Tax-5.
For information on the Warren County Tourism Development Authority, visit https://warrencountync.com/902/Tourism-Development-Authority.
To contact Cherie Nielsen, email cherienielsen@warrencountync.gov.
