Discounts help N.C. tourism areas as spending drops

Charlotte, N.C. — Many North Carolina attractions say discounts helped keep them afloat this summer.

The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday that most destinations expect declines in revenue this summer to be less than in 2008 because of aggressive marketing.

The Explore Asheville Web site to offer deeply discounted hotel rooms and packages. Marla Tambellini with the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau said the declines in tourism numbers this year were smaller than 2008.

The Mile High Kite Festival in Beech Mountain offered free kites to the first 200 children Sunday.

Rain hurt the coast during the Labor Day weekend.

Overall, hotels, motels and campgrounds on the Outer Banks had an increase in occupancy. However, weeklong cottage rentals were down in Dare County, a reflection of people taking shorter trips.

A campaign by the state Department of Commerce urged North Carolinians to travel "smart" during the recession, to look for deals but still keep traveling.

North Carolina's hotel, restaurant and resort industries employ about 10 percent of the state's work force. In 2008, tourists spent a record $16.9 billion in North Carolina.

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Information from: The Charlotte Observer

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Well I like to hitchhike to the beach and meet people and beg for a room to sleep in. Can't get no freer and cheaper than that for a family deal. It works for us.

manofjustice
September 8, 2009 6:42 p.m.

The discounts are out there if you take the time and look for them. We had an amazing deal in the early spring on a sound side house in the Outer Banks for a week in the middle of July for $700. I was able to make payments on the house - paying what I could afford monthly until it was paid for. Ate most meals at the house and/or packed lunches, going to the beach doesn't cost anything, and the ferry trip to Ocracoke is free. A little planning and you will find that you can have a great time on a very limited budget. Those who spend the thousands on a hotel and pay for every meal out then complain about how much it cost...cry me a river. You didn't look hard enough for a deal!

mrsgaskill
September 8, 2009 12:49 p.m.

Let's face it not many people have about a $1,000.00 to spend on a long weekend at the beach...$1,000.00 is about what it costs a family of 4...

affirmativediversity
September 8, 2009 12:15 p.m.

I agree - hotel rooms are so high, who can afford it?

pulstar40
September 8, 2009 11:24 a.m.

Hotels have gotten riduculously expensive.