Positive Signs for Outer Banks Tourism
Outer Banks tourism officials are beginning to notice positive signs for vacation rentals on the Outer Banks this summer.
Carolyn McCormick, managing director if the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau says that in the past couple of years, bookings have remained low until later in the season. She goes on to say that this might be a direct correlation with the economic uncertainty in these times. Despite rough economic conditions nationwide vacation rental earnings for the Outer Banks in 2008 were up 2% from 2007. McCormick Further states “In January of this year, the Outer Banks Tourism website received 1,000 more unique visitors than last year.”
The value the Outer Banks offers remains as strong as ever; the national parks are still free, pubic parking along the beach is free, the beaches are still gorgeous, and the abundance of outdoor activities, and amazing historic and natural treasures has not been diminished. In addition, the plethora vacation rentals in the area help make OBX an affordable vacation destination. Some homes can be as low as $30 per night/per person with a fully equipped kitchen and pool! With a wide variety of homes, an Outer Banks vacation is affordable for any budget and any size group.
Another little known option is travel insurance that will protect the consumer against job loss, and a variety of other vacation interruptions.
Outer Banks National Parks Hope for a Piece of the Federal Stimulus Funds
The National Parks on the Outer Banks are making an attempt to receive stimulus funding to help with the costs of operations and renovations.
The 66 parks in the National Park Service’s Southeast region could get anywhere from $50 million to $100 million from the stimulus plan, although nothing is certain, said Outer Banks Group Deputy Superintendent Darrell Echols. Some of the projects that could be funded for the Outer Banks Group include $1.1 million for road widening and expanded parking, $786,945 to build a four mile long bike path, and a $100,000 to study alternative transportation, all at or surrounding Bodie Island Light Station.
“There’s about 52 million dollars worth of project needs between the Wright Brothers National Memorial, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. So the hope is that of the 15 projects on the Outer Banks’ wish list, at least one qualifies,” says Echols.
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