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Each year, over 60 million visitors flock to North Carolina and contribute more than $14 billion annually to the state’s economy. These numbers continue to rise as North Carolina moves up the list of Top 10 most visited U.S. states. Tourism is also a vital industry for North Carolina in many other ways: it generates close to $748 million in state tax dollars a year, and over $450 million in local tax revenues; directly supports nearly 200,000 jobs and close to $4 billion in wages; and has brought new life to areas left without a livelihood by the demise of other industries.
In short, tourism means jobs for North Carolinians and economic prosperity for communities across the state. PRTM’s tourism extension, engagement and economic development programs recognize the importance of tourism and allow PRTM to be a partner in planning, developing, and growing sustainable tourism and recreation resources across North Carolina. These programs also reflect the growing diversity of the tourism industry as well as NC State’s national stature within many of its most important sectors.
Featured Projects
- Entrepreneurial Climate Study - This study of 40 North Carolina counties will assess the "environment" our rural areas as it relates to entrepreneurial activity and tourism development. Data collection will end on January 10, 2007 and results will be available on this site and through your County Extension office in March 2007. Take the Community Climate Survey. If you have any questions, please contact Carol Kline, NCSU Tourism Extension.
- Vollmer Farms – This agri-tourism partnership is an unique outreach collaboration between the NCSU College of Design (Dept of Landscape Architecture) and the NCSU College of Natural Resources (NCSU Tourism Extension). Thanks to some creativity and help with planning and marketing, a family farm has been transformed into a thriving tourist destination, where visitors can tour the farm and admire spectacular displays of flowers, pick their own organic strawberries, buy homemade strawberry ice cream and enjoy a host of other seasonal activities. For more information, contact Carol Kline.
- NC Birding Trail - The Birding Trail is a network of bird-watching sites across the state, linked by highways and marketed as a unified tourism experience. Birding trails have proven to be successful in more than 30 states, generating millions of ecotourism dollars and providing financial incentives to protect vanishing bird habitats. Extension specialists from PRTM have been instrumental in launching this important tourism enterprise in North Carolina.
- Paddle Trails - North Carolina, with its diverse terrain, abundant water resources, and natural landscape, is one of the fastest growing states in the nation. Concurrent with this influx of people is the growth of the paddling industry. People are paddling on North Carolina’s waterways, lakes and streams for educational and recreational purposes. Birding, fishing, exploring historic sites and visiting nearby communities are just a few of the activities that paddlers can enjoy as part of the experience. Trail information and maps are available at NC Coastal Plain Paddle Trails. Soon, NC citizens interested in development of paddle trails in their communities can find useful resources including educational content and links to the paddle trails listserv on the web at How To Build A Paddle Trail In Your Community. This website; hosted by the N.C. Trails Program In the N.C. Dvision of State Parks will contain valuable legal, marketing, and tourism information. The site was developed by NCSU Extension Tourism and the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources State Trails Program in collaboration with the NC Department of Transportation, the Wildlife Resources Commission, the NC Division of Community Assistance, and NC Planners. We are excited to be helping communities prosper through the development of natural tourism resources such as this one.
Resources for Practioners
If you are an extension agent, business owner, community leader or simply a citizen seeking help with a tourism project, PRTM offers a number of resources that can help you with such steps as starting up an enterprise, managing risk and liability, marketing, obtaining insurance and funding plus many other areas.
For more information contact the tourism extension staff and faculty - Stacy Tomas, Carol Kline, Larry Gustke, and Gene Brothers
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Safe and sustainable water trails
attract visitors and provide economic benefits to entire communities
Reports Now Available