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May 5, 2023
Dear Valued Tourism Partners,
It was an encouraging week in travel news. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that beginning May 12, 2023, they will lift Title 19 travel requirements. This means they will no longer require non-U.S. travelers entering the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination upon request. DHS intends to rescind these Title 19 travel restrictions in alignment with the end of the Public Health Emergency and the termination of the Presidential Proclamation on air travel. Read the official notice here. This is great news and another clear indication that our industry continues to recover.
On the local tourism news front, here are several recent press hits we’re pleased to share with you this week:
Sandler Center To Host May 8 Opening Reception for ‘Creative Expressions’ Art Exhibition - The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, located in our beautiful Town Center of Virginia; the Sandler Center Foundation, and the Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department will host an opening reception for "Creative Expressions," an exhibition by the Chesapeake Bay Watercolorists, on Monday, May 8, from 6-8 p.m. in the Sandler Center Art Gallery mezzanine lobby, 201 Market St. The exhibition features watercolor art from multiple artists. The group, which began as a group of watercolor artists painting together at the Bow Creek Recreation Center in 1980, seeks to bring together watercolor artists of all levels of experience to share knowledge, provide opportunities to exhibit, and learn more about the art and practice of watercolor. Artists come from various backgrounds and skill levels and hold American Watercolor Society and Virginia Watercolor Society memberships. Several of the artists sell their work internationally and have paintings in private collections throughout the country. Chesapeake Bay Watercolorists is open to all local artists and art enthusiasts who have a shared passion for watercolor media and share the group's mission statement. They conduct monthly programs with visiting artists, demonstrations, critiques, and workshops. Click here for more details.
Around The World 80 Days, An Artistic Sidewalk Adventure - Looking to travel the world? No need to go any further than the Town Center of Virginia Beach for your adventure! From May 1-14, Town Center highlights Zeiders American Dream Theater’s adaptation of Jules Verne’s play “Around The World In 80 Days” with a chalk art exhibit along the streets of Town Center. Destinations in Mexico, Italy, Spain, South Africa, and beyond will be depicted in uplifting messages drawn by local artists along the streets of Town Center. Bring the whole family to watch the sidewalks come to life as the artists create their work. The Central Business District Association is pleased to produce this family-friendly exhibit in cooperation with Zeiders American Dream Theater. For more information, click here.
Events & Happenings
Our current Calendar of Events is available here. Take a look and see more of what’s on the horizon.
My team and I are committed to you and our industry and are here to help. Please let me know how we can assist. Sincerely,
Nancy Helman
CVB Director
Hotel Occupancy for the week of April 16 - 22 - According to Smith Travel Research, Virginia Beach’s hotel occupancy rate for the week of April 16 - 22 was the same year-over-year at 63.9% occupancy and up 1.1% for the running 28-day trend. ADR was down -1.1% at $141.53 for the week but up 1.8% for the running 28-day trend. RevPAR was down -1% at $90.41 but up 2.9% for the running 28-day trend. In comparison to the month of April 2019, we have a decrease in occupancy of -9.1% but counter this with an increase in ADR and RevPAR of 20.75% and 9.96% respectively.
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