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December 2, 2022
Dear Valued Tourism Industry Partners,
I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving. I wanted to keep the momentum going as we continue to digest the incredible numbers recently released by Tourism Economics at our State of Tourism Breakfast. For those unable to attend in person, below is a short clip of the exciting messages shared: s://youtu.be/VqMkjEr5z6o
As a result of distributing the 2021 Economic Impact of Visitors to a number of trade outlets last week, we received editorial coverage from some high-end trade publications such as:
Travel Mole
Travel Professional News
Exhibitor Online
Facilities & Events Magazine
We will continue to share more of these articles, as well as other related media hits, as they are released. Speaking of media hits, guess who ranked recently in a Conde Nast list of destinations to visit in 2023? Yes, Virginia Beach! Writer Taryn White visited for ECSC and recently included one of our favorite places in her article, The Best Places to Go in the U.S. in 2023.
Here’s an excerpt: “Anchored by a bustling three-mile boardwalk overlooking the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia Beach boasts the world’s longest pleasure beach and the world’s longest continually run surfing competition. But beaches aren’t the only reason to visit this resort city, which is home to everything from Chesapeake Bay blue crabs to hand-crafted spirits, as well as the colorful ViBE District and indelible historic sites. In 2023, the annual Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships celebrated its 61st year, and a few blocks from the oceanfront, groundbreaking will soon be underway at The Wave, a surf park backed by Grammy-winning artist and Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams that will house the East Coast’s first man-made wave pool in 2024. Williams is also bringing the Something in the Water Festival back to Virginia Beach in spring 2023. The city is welcoming a new outdoor event, the Jackalope Fest, featuring high-adrenaline competitions ranging from breakdancing to bouldering. Held for the past ten years in Canada, the festival will now take place along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront in June.”
Governor Announces Multiple Tourism Programs to Receive Public-Private Marketing Funds to Bolster Tourism Microbusinesses – Governor Glenn Youngkin recently announced details of a program which will generate more than $1 million in marketing initiatives, support over 400 jobs, and impact more than 189 statewide tourism businesses and entities. At the VA-1 Governor’s Tourism Summit, Gov. Youngkin announced that more than $300,000 in matching grant funds will be awarded to 64 small business partnerships as part of the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s (VTC) Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program. The program is designed to leverage local marketing dollars with matching state funds to increase visitation and traveler spending in the off-season. This funding cycle, local partners will commit more than $782,000 in private sector funds to match the VTC funding, providing more than $1 million in new marketing activity focused on small businesses and off-season visitation. Funding will be awarded to 64 marketing programs, ultimately impacting 189 combined partners, and supporting over 400 jobs.
The VTC Microbusiness Marketing Program was created in 2022 to provide marketing funding to target shoulder-season visitation to tourism-oriented small businesses with less than 20 full-time employees. Designed to drive overnight visitation during fall, winter, and early spring, the program provided up to $5,000 in matching dollars for marketing initiatives. VTC will have additional Marketing Program grant and sponsorship rounds opening throughout 2023. Organizations and businesses that are interested in applying may visit www.vatc.org for more information.
CVB Sales Teams On the Go - The past few weeks have led our sales teams across the country in pursuit of opportunities to meet new business clients and to reconnect with those clients eager to bring their groups to Virginia Beach. Dee recently returned from a meeting planner’s event in Jacksonville and Jamie was in Des Moines (where it was a balmy 18 degrees!) for a Summit for the Nurses Organization Alliance. On the Tourism side of the house, the excitement has been building as the team gears up for the South International FAM tour which started yesterday. From oysters to Orange Crushes and fabulous holiday lights, 15 tour operators from various overseas countries are here to taste, see and take in the Coastal Vibe we fondly call Virginia Beach. The Tourism team met with more than 40 tour operators, in one-on-one settings, prior to the operators arrival in Virginia Beach.
Snow Globe Spectacular Returns to Town Center and VIP Tickets for Last Night on the Town Now on Sale - Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season at Town Center of Virginia Beach! Experience the most beautiful lighting displays in Hampton Roads, festive street entertainment, Santa sightings and more. Among other fun, Town Center guests will be delighted and amazed during a self-guided tour of a unique collection of life-like winter wonderland snow globes. Find out more about this and other related events and happenings at Town Center, including Last Night on the Town, our area’s premier New Year’s Eve event, here. Looking to book your VIP tickets now? Click here!
Chartway Holiday Parade at the Beach - Beginning at 5:30 pm tomorrow, (Sat., 12/3), join residents and guests for the Chartway Holiday Parade at the Beach. Enjoy almost 90 parade units as they make their way down Atlantic Avenue in a joyous celebration of the holiday season. Giant balloons, marching bands, lighted floats, equestrian units, fire trucks, performing dance groups, motorcycles, and more join forces to present a dazzling and entertaining night of fun for all ages! And, best of all, Santa himself makes a grand appearance to greet all his loyal fans as thousands of families take the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Virginia Beach oceanfront! The parade travels north on Atlantic Avenue from 15th Street to 25th Street. The reviewing stand is located at 25th Street and Atlantic Avenue. Please see the Road Closure Notice here.
For Town Center of Virginia Beach holiday event info, click here. For more information on Bayport Holiday Lights at the Beach, click here.
Our Calendar of Events through June 2023 is now available on the Partner Pipeline and at this link for your convenience.
As always, my team and I remain committed to you and our industry. Please let me know how we can assist.
Sincerely,
Nancy Helman
CVB Director
Hotel Performance for the Week of November 13 - 19, 2022: According to STR, Virginia Beach was within the top 25 performing DMO’s for the week of November 13 – November 19. Virginia Beach’s hotel occupancy rate for this week was up 1.7% at 50.3% occupancy and up 4.9% for the running 28-day trend. ADR was up 6.5% to $107.00 for the week and up 8.4% for the running 28-day trend. RevPAR was also up 8.4% at $53.77 and up 13.7% for the running 28-day trend. In comparison to 2019, we are up in regards to occupancy with an increase of 7.5% and an increase in ADR and RevPAR of 20.4% and 29.5% respectively.
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