Tourism Front Facing Personnel Referral Kickoff

NEWS BRIEF FROM SOUTHPORT OAK ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

As we kick into high gear this tourism season, the Southport Oak Island Chamber of Commerce-Welcome Center took the opportunity to show its appreciation to our tourism professionals by delivering a bag of goodies to those members in the accommodation, restaurant, and retail industries.

The Chamber’s Tourism Counts Referral campaign is designed to help front-facing tourism professionals become aware of and connect with the companies and services that tourists may need when they are visiting our community.

How does Tourism Count? According to a 2022 study of all North Carolina Counties commissioned by North Carolina Travel, Tourism & Sports Development – Visitors:

• SAVED – Local tax savings per Brunswick County resident – $529.12

• SPENT – $283.68 million in lodging, $316.96 million in Food & Beverage, $144.40 million in recreation, $100.41 million in retail, and $246.28 million transportation in Brunswick County.

• EMPLOYED – 5,277 people were employed in the Brunswick County tourism industry.

• RANKED – Brunswick County is 6th in the state for overall total spending by visitors.

Many members  volunteered to help stuff bags and deliver bags the 300 bags between June 17^th -19^th in the Southport-Oak Island area – Hugh Fosbury, iTrip Vacations Oak Island; Anne Wilson (booster member), Briton Hollister, Throw Baxe Axe House and Board Game ; Pam Lewis, Bald Head Coffee; Brandon Hill, Gimmzi Smart Rewards; Carol Magnani, The State Port Pilot, Suzanne Street, Southport Suzie’s; Cindy & Ryan Callahan, Trash Can Porter, LLC, Richard D’Anjolell, Nowcat; Kandace & Brian Hill, Picture Van Go; Tracy Green, HandCrafted* Massage, Isabelle Roseme, New Home Specialist; Felicia Sexton, LegalShield Associate and Carolina Crab Brewing Company; and Eric Franke, Fish 4 Advice.

Businesses who recognized the opportunity and wanted to show their appreciation to the front facing personnel donated items to put in the bag – Yoga Unlimited, Throw Baxe Axe House and Board Game Lounge, Bald Head Coffee, Gimmzi Smart Rewards, Dosher Memorial Hospital, Cattail Cottage, Southport Suzie’s, Island Healing & Chiropractic Cape Fear Fitness, This WEEK St. James, Unleashed, the Dog & Cat Store, The State Port Pilot, Picture Van Go, Carolina QuickCare, Fuel-Chiropractic, Coastal Cosmetic Family Dentistry, Ocean Crest Motel, Trash Can Porter, LLC, Nowcat, Swanson Realty, JMT Services, HandCrafted* Massage, and The Pearl.