150+ events, festivals and conventions cancelled in Wake County due to COVID-19

Raleigh, N.C. (March 19, 2020) – The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh) released today a report detailing the impact that COVID-19 is having on the tourism and hospitality industry throughout Wake County as a result of the closure of restaurants and hotels and event cancellations. Wake County draws 16.8 million visitors annually who spend more than $2.7 billion locally and generate more than $250 million in state and local tax revenue. The hospitality industry overall represents more than 67,000 jobs locally and is vital to the overall health of the economy.

To date, Visit Raleigh and the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA) are aware of at least 100 conventions, meetings and sporting events throughout Wake County that have been canceled, totaling nearly 50,000 attendees and producing more than $36.2 million in total economic impact. Currently, 11 of these events have been postponed or rescheduled for a later date.

Additionally, more than 50 large-scale public events throughout Wake County have been canceled, postponed or rescheduled.

As a result of the decrease in group, business and leisure travel, hotel occupancy throughout Wake County has dropped more than 30% in the month of March already as compared to 2019. The week of March 8-14 hotel occupancy was only at 57.4% which is not typically seen in Wake County outside of the week of Christmas and New Year’s.

“As the official destination organization for Raleigh and Wake County we appreciate the aggressive response to COVID-19 by federal, state and local officials to protect the public, both visitors and residents alike throughout Wake County,” said President and CEO, of Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh), Dennis Edwards. “That said, these are troubling times for the tourism and hospitality sector here in Wake County and throughout the country. With travel at a standstill and the closure of restaurants and hotels we face financial uncertainty like never before. Our hotel and restaurant community needs our help, and we urge the public who are able to support them by buying gift cards online, ordering take-out and delivery service and donating to efforts like the Triangle Restaurant Workers Relief Fund.”

Below is a breakdown by sector of the impact COVID-19 has had on the tourism and hospitality industry in Wake County.

Hotel Sector Impact – (according to STR):

February 2020 (Baseline)

Week of March 1-7, 2020

Week of March 8-14, 2020

Meetings, Conventions and Sporting Events Impact:

• Total Meetings, Conventions and Sporting Events Cancelled: 100+
  • Total Attendees: 50,000
  • Total Room-Nights: 31,000+
  • Revenue Lost: $36.2M
• Postponed/Rescheduled Events: 11

Note: These numbers only represent events that Visit Raleigh or the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance have booked or been made aware of by hotel and event venues within Wake County. It is not representative of all events within Wake County.

Large-scale Public Events Impact:

• Events and Festivals Cancelled or Rescheduled: 50+

Note: Only large-scale public events that draw more than 100 people. It is not representative of all events throughout Wake County. Complete attendance data and economic impact data not available.

This report will be compiled on an ongoing basis moving forward and Visit Raleigh has created a page on its website with the latest information for visitors and area businesses in the hospitality industry alike. VisitRaleigh.com/Covid-19
 

About the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh):
As the official destination organization for Wake County, the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh) is responsible for promoting Wake County as an attractive travel destination and enhancing its public image as a dynamic place to live and work. Through the impact of travel, the organization strengthens the economic position of and provides opportunity for people in the community. Raleigh/Wake County, N.C., welcomes nearly 17 million visitors annually whose spending tops $2.7 billion. The visitor economy supports more than 27,000 local jobs in Wake County and generates $268 million in state and local tax revenues, saving each Wake County household $700 in taxes annually. visitRaleigh.com

About the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA):
A division of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh) — the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA) markets and promotes Raleigh and all of Wake County to generate and/or retain sports-related businesses (tournaments, championships, special events and meetings) to drive economic development. Raleigh, N.C./Wake County welcomes nearly 17 million visitors annually whose spending tops $2.7 billion. The visitor economy supports more than 26,170 local jobs in Wake County and generates more than $250 million in state and local tax revenues, saving each Wake County household $671 in taxes annually. raleighsports.org.

Media Contact:
Scott Peacock, Director of Public Relations
614.551.7981
speacock@visitRaleigh.com

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