In my role as president/CEO of the Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau [CVB], I often speak about the positive impacts of visitor spending and tourism employment. I always highlight how tourism is “everybody’s business,” touching nearly every industry in New Hanover County, whether directly or indirectly, by visitor spending and the taxes paid for goods and services.
As tourism in New Hanover County continues to thrive, the CVB acknowledges the important role that residents play in making our community a desirable and welcoming travel destination. That’s why we are reaching out to residents of Wilmington and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach as we plan for the future of tourism in our communities.
I would like to encourage New Hanover County residents to take a tourism survey to offer input to shape the area’s first-ever Tourism Master Plan. This 10-year plan will align tourism’s direction and development with community needs — and ensure that tourism contributes to residents’ quality of life.