Plans for Omni Hotel downtown take key step forward
Triangle Business Journal | 05.19.2025 Plans are progressing toward the construction of the amenity-heavy Omni Hotel in Downtown Raleigh. Dallas-based Omni Hotels & Resorts filed site plans on May 7 for the 27-story, 553-key hotel at 10 W. South St. across from the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts. The plans name Brady Nix, director…
1.3 million North Carolinians to travel for Memorial Day, expected to break 20-year record, AAA reports
WNCN | 05/15/2025 RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – It’s set to be another record-breaking year for Memorial Day travel in the Carolinas. AAA predicts 1.3 million North Carolinians will travel at least 50 miles for Memorial Day this year, which marks an increase of nearly 50,000 compared to 2024. Nationwide, 45.1 million people are estimated to…
As tourism season gets hot, Western NC hopes it won’t be a cruel summer
Carolina Public Press | 05/12/2025 Summer tourism in Western North Carolina — hiking, fishing, driving up scenic mountain roads — is a perfect respite for many from the hot southern season. But those idyllic mountain scenes are competing in the public’s mind with images of Tropical Storm Helene’s aftermath: death, devastation and destruction. And for…
Charlotte hotels will be packed for the 2025 PGA Championship
Axios Charlotte | 05.02.2025 The PGA Championship is expected to draw 200,000 fans to Quail Hollow Club in South Charlotte this month, tournament organizers tell Axios. Why it matters: That doesn’t take into account 156 golfers, hundreds of media members, vendors and other people traveling to Charlotte to work the tournament, many of whom will stay in Charlotte’s hotels. State of play: The PGA…
Uptown will see huge crowds this weekend from Lovin’ Life and Kendrick Lamar concert
Axios Charlotte | 04.28.2025 Thousands of people will descend upon Uptown for a weekend of massive events, including Lovin’ Life Music Fest at First Ward Park, Kendrick Lamar at Bank of America Stadium and Charlotte Knights games. Why it matters: This could be a record-breaking weekend for foot traffic in Uptown, which is still rebounding from the pandemic. Fun fact: Uptown’s biggest day…
PTI gets another top 10 ranking for best small US airports
Triad Business Journal | 04.21.2025 Piedmont Triad International Airport is ranked No. 7 in the 2025 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards for best small U.S. airports. Airports were nominated by a panel of travel writers, with the final list determined by Newsweek editors, and voted on by readers. PTI’s blurb notes it’s centrally located in North…
Sports pumped millions into Charlotte’s economy in 2024
Sports continue to boost Charlotte’s economy, with Charlotte Sports Foundation’s seven 2024 events generating $90.6 million in economic impact, per Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority data. Why it matters: Charlotte is gearing up for several major sporting events and hoping to woo even more. While some of these events are run by different entities, they all feed into the narrative Charlotte…
Fact Sheet: What NC Hospitality Leaders Need to Know About New Human Trafficking Training Regulations
Need to know: Every North Carolina hotel and short-term rental property will need to comply with new training requirements that go into effect this July. Key Information about House Bill 971 Requirements: More Information: Bottom Line: The North Carolina Hospitality Alliance is working with the North Carolina Department of Labor to craft reasonable regulations that…
North Carolina public schools could start earlier in the year under new bill
03/25/2025 | WRAL The North Carolina state Senate leader wants to give public education leaders more flexibility in starting their school year. State law currently forbids public school districts from starting class instruction before the Monday closest to Aug. 26 — but nearly a quarter of the state’s districts broke the law last year. A bill filed…