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January 13, 2023
Dear Valued Tourism Partners,
What a way to start the year! This week we learned that Virginia Beach has been ranked among America’s Best Cities by Resonance Consultancy, the exclusive ranking entity of the world’s top urban destinations. Not only did we come in strong at number 41 out of the top 100 American cities noted, we are only one of two Virginia destinations to make the list. Congrats, RVA! To add to the glory, not one beach destination in our current competitive set made the cut so yes, 2023 is off to an amazing start!
In other great news, here are several more recent media hits:
- Virginia Beach ranked by FishingBooker as a top winter fishing destination for 2023
Last Call for Digital Artwork Submissions - As shared last week, the ViBe Creative District is seeking artists to submit digital artworks for a Spring 2023 installation at the Virginia Beach Convention Center and Virginia Beach Sports Center parking lots on the tall wayfinding identifiers (white metal structures). Approximately 20 artworks will be selected pending final review of artwork submissions. Artists may submit up to 3 digital images for review by the Virginia Beach Public Art Committee. The deadline is Monday, Jan. 16. Check out the details here and please share with your networks.
Nominations Open For Virginia Green Travel Star Awards - Since 2011, Virginia Green has recognized hundreds of Travel Stars and Travel Leaders for their commitments to sustainability and contributions to green tourism in Virginia. The application period for the 2023 Virginia Green Travel Star Awards is now open. Applications for the awards are linked below and are due to DEQ by January 25, 2023. Email completed applications to VirginiaGreen@DEQ.Virginia.gov.
The Travel Star award categories are:
For more information on the awards please see our award description information sheet. Awards will be presented at the Virginia Green Travel Conference that will be held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, March 21-22, 2023.
Drop Off Electronics for Ecofriendly Disposal at the Virginia Aquarium - Recycle old electronics that have stacked up around the house or in storage over the years at the upcoming E-Cycling Event hosted by the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, in partnership with Goodwill, TFC Recycling and the City of Virginia Beach Waste Management department. Stop by the Aquarium’s East Parking Lot on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Only personal-use items will be collected at this time: electronics and household hazardous wastes. Goodwill and the Aquarium are spearheading general electronic recycling such as personal computers, cell phones, printers, fax machines, televisions (except for tubes/CRTs), and stereo equipment. The City of Virginia Beach’s Waste Management department will collect household hazardous wastes for proper disposal, such as batteries, automotive fluids, pool chemicals, fertilizers, fire extinguishers, and light bulbs. Conducted by volunteers, the Virginia Aquarium has hosted 21 e-cycling events since 2009 that have collectively diverted more than 300 tons or 600,000 pounds of e-waste from the landfill. In 2011, the Aquarium’s e-cycling program won Most Innovative Green Project by Virginia Green. The event is free to the public, but donations are appreciated and will go to the Aquarium’s Green Team and their efforts promoting sustainable practices.
NASSC Registration Now Open - Registration for the 2023 Ferguson North American Sand Soccer Championships is officially open. This year’s tournament dates are June 9 – 11 and will feature age groups from U8 to 050 and everything in between! Early registration is encouraged as the tournament divisions fill up quickly. Don’t miss being a part of the largest sand soccer tournament in the world! Find all you need to know here including a proposed fields map.
“The Pulse of Virginia” ~ Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Newsletter - Enjoy a new year greeting and read some great information from your state DMO, VTC, in their first industry newsletter of 2023. Topics covered include new opportunities for partnerships. Read the entire newsletter here.
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 December 25 - 31: According to STR, Virginia Beach was within the top 25 performing DMO’s for the week of December 25 – December 31. Virginia Beach’s hotel occupancy rate for this week was slightly down -12.2% at 41.6% occupancy and down -6.4% for the running 28-day trend. ADR was slightly down -4.9% to $105.50 for the week but up 2.7% for the running 28-day trend. RevPAR was down -16.4% at $43.89 and also slightly down -3.9% for the running 28-day trend. In comparison to 2019, we are up in occupancy with an increase of 22.9% and up with an increase in ADR and RevPAR of 32.5% and 62.8% respectively.
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