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Pandemic Hits Tourism Industry But NC Vacation Rentals Up

A vacationer ties up luggage in Nags Head, N.C. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

North Carolina's tourism industry has taken a big hit during the coronavirus pandemic. But vacation rental bookings have seen an increase.

Research compiled by the development organization Visit North Carolina shows that the state has experienced a nearly $7 billion loss in travel spending between March and August. That's an almost 60 percent decline compared to the same period last year.

In a presentation to the state Travel and Tourism Board, Visit NC research director Marlise Taylor said that local, state, and federal tax collections from travel spending are down 42 percent.

But Taylor says there is one bright spot. Short-term vacation rentals for places such as homes and cabins have increased, and bookings remain strong for the fall season.

According to the News & Record, realty companies are also reporting an uptick in sales of vacation properties, as people seek a place to get away with their families that can also be rented when not in use.

Taylor and other tourism officials said they're working on creative solutions for the industry to address the adverse travel conditions caused by the pandemic.

For the most up-to-date information on coronavirus in North Carolina, visit our Live Updates blog here. WFDD wants to hear your stories — connect with us and let us know what you're experiencing.

Neal Charnoff joined 88.5 WFDD as Morning Edition host in 2014. Raised in the Catskill region of upstate New York, he graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1983. Armed with a liberal arts degree, Neal was fully equipped to be a waiter. So he prolonged his arrested development bouncing around New York and L.A. until discovering that people enjoyed listening to his voice on the radio. After a few years doing overnight shifts at a local rock station, Neal spent most of his career at Vermont Public Radio. He began as host of a nightly jazz program, where he was proud to interview many of his idols, including Dave Brubeck and Sonny Rollins. Neal graduated to the news department, where he was the local host for NPR's All Things Considered for 14 years. In addition to news interviews and features, he originated and produced the Weekly Conversation On The Arts, as well as VPR Backstage, which profiled theater productions around the state. He contributed several stories to NPR, including coverage of a devastating ice storm. Neal now sees the value of that liberal arts degree, and approaches life with the knowledge that all subjects and all art forms are connected to each other. Neal and his wife Judy are enjoying exploring North Carolina and points south. They would both be happy to never experience a Vermont winter again.

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