AGP Executive Report

Outer Banks Access: Highway 12 remains closed after storm damage near Pea Island, with emergency ferry service and shuttle vans connecting Rodanthe and Stumpy Point. Officials have not set a reopening date, and visitors to Hatteras Island have been told to evacuate. Raleigh’s Tourism Push: Red Hat Amphitheater has closed ahead of demolition for the Raleigh Convention Center expansion. A replacement venue is under construction nearby, while an Omni hotel is also taking shape to support future events. Hospitality Training: Cape Fear Community College added four certificates and two diplomas to its Hospitality Management program as tourism employment grows in New Hanover County. Fall Events: Salisbury’s Witches Dance Bizarre Bazaar returns Friday, Oct. 30, with vendors and Halloween festivities expected to draw visitors from across the state and neighboring states. Mountain Color: Fall leaves were near peak during one visitor’s recent trip, with travelers from across the East and as far as Washington enjoying the cooler weather and local shops.

Greensboro Visitors: GHOEGuide.com has launched ahead of Greensboro’s 100th Greatest Homecoming on Earth, helping visitors find lodging, restaurants, events, transportation and local services. Hospitality Workforce: Cape Fear Community College is adding certificates, diplomas and courses to prepare students for tourism and hospitality jobs as visitor spending and employment grow in the Wilmington region. Outer Banks Access: King tides could bring minor coastal flooding through Wednesday, while recent storms have battered N.C. 12. The route is vital to island communities and tourism, which contributes an estimated $1 billion a year to the area. Events & Outdoors: The NC Lighthouse Challenge has topped 1,000 registrations, and ultramarathoner William Goodge stopped in Asheville during his 50-marathons-in-50-states fundraising run.

Outer Banks Access: Back-to-back coastal storms damaged N.C. 12, prompting a state of emergency and closures on the vital route. Emergency ferry service has returned, while long-term recovery is expected to take time. Air Travel: Asheville’s AVL Forward terminal project marked a construction milestone with its final topping out, a step toward expanded airport facilities. Outdoor Escapes: North Carolina’s newest state park is scheduled to open in 2027, offering 1,500 acres for hiking and other outdoor recreation. History & Culture: The Museum of the Albemarle is among nine regional museums showcasing the state’s local histories, and new research highlights northeastern North Carolina’s role in the Revolutionary War. Roadside & Halloween Stops: Buc-ee’s is planning a second North Carolina travel center, while Archdale’s Kersey Valley SpookyWoods and Monroe’s The 13th Acre made a national list of top haunted attractions.

Outer Banks Access: Gov. Josh Stein declared an emergency after back-to-back coastal storms damaged N.C. 12, with travel on Pea Island deemed unsafe. The highway is a lifeline for island communities and a gateway to tourism that brings an estimated $1 billion a year to the area. Outdoor Adventures: North Carolina’s newest state park is set to open in 2027, offering 1,500 acres for hiking and outdoor recreation. Travel Stops: Buc-ee’s is moving ahead with plans for a second North Carolina travel center. History Trips: The Museum of the Albemarle is among nine regional museums showcasing the state’s history while Raleigh’s flagship museum undergoes renovations. Fall Getaways: Great Smoky Mountains fall color can linger into November at some elevations, while Wilmington’s new ranking as a top U.S. city for horror-film fans adds a Halloween-season draw.

Heritage Stops: With Raleigh’s flagship history museum undergoing renovations, nine regional museums—including the Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City—offer visitors local stories spanning 16,000 years. Outer Banks Access: Back-to-back coastal storms have damaged N.C. 12 and prompted a state of emergency. The highway is a vital route for residents and tourism, which brings an estimated $1 billion a year to the area. Travel Center Plans: Buc-ee’s is moving toward a second North Carolina location, with Gold Rock near I-95 among the sites eyed. Outdoor Outlook: A new 1,500-acre North Carolina state park is expected to open in 2027, bringing more hiking and outdoor recreation. The Great Smoky Mountains are also a fall-color draw, with varied elevations extending the leaf-peeping season.

Outer Banks Access: Coastal storms have damaged N.C. 12, washed away dunes and cut off parts of Hatteras Island. Gov. Josh Stein declared an emergency and sought federal repair aid. Emergency ferries offer limited service, but visitors cannot board island-bound boats, and waits may be long. There’s no reopening timeline for the damaged Pea Island stretch. Long-Term Solutions: NCDOT’s SAND study will explore ways to reduce closures, with public meetings planned in Dare County for Nov. 17–19. The highway supports residents and a tourism economy estimated at $1 billion a year. Western NC Airport: Asheville Regional Airport marked a construction milestone as crews placed the final beam on its new terminal, part of a project to improve the traveler experience. Outdoor Travel: North Carolina’s newest state park is set to open in 2027, offering 1,500 acres for hiking and other outdoor recreation. Wilmington Spotlight: A new study named Wilmington the top U.S. city for horror movie fans.

Outer Banks Access: Gov. Josh Stein declared an emergency in Dare and Hyde counties after storms damaged N.C. 12, washed away protective dunes and cut off parts of Hatteras Island. Emergency ferries are running, but visitors cannot board island-bound boats; there’s no reopening timeline yet. Asheville Airport Upgrade: The AVL Forward terminal project reached its final structural milestone, bringing Western North Carolina closer to a new terminal for travelers. Outdoor Adventures: North Carolina’s newest state park is planned to open in 2027, with 1,500 acres for hiking and outdoor recreation. Wilmington’s Spooky Appeal: A new ranking named Wilmington the country’s top city for horror movie fans, citing its film history and ghost tours.**

Outer Banks Access: Storm Josephine battered the coast, damaging N.C. 12 and cutting off Hatteras Island; emergency ferry service has returned, and Gov. Stein declared a state of emergency for the highway. New Outdoor Escape: Pisgah View State Park is expected to open in 2027 with more than 1,500 acres to explore, adding trails and outdoor recreation near Asheville. Travel Connections: Air Canada plans to end its Vancouver–Raleigh-Durham route next summer, part of a wider pullback in U.S. service. Food and Lodging: Greenville and Asheville restaurants earned recognition in the 2026 Michelin Guide, while a second Buc-ee’s travel center is planned for North Carolina. Rising Costs: Domestic airfares climbed 16% nationally in spring 2026, averaging $279 one way.

Outer Banks Access: Gov. Josh Stein declared emergencies in Dare and Hyde counties after back-to-back storms damaged N.C. 12, with closures and ferry disruptions affecting travel to Hatteras Island. The state is seeking federal help for repairs and longer-term resilience work. New Outdoor Destination: Pisgah View State Park is now expected to open in 2027, offering more than 1,500 acres for hiking in western North Carolina; storm damage and planning changes delayed its opening. Road-Trip Stops: Buc-ee’s is seeking approval for a second North Carolina travel center, proposed near I-95 and N.C. 4 in Rocky Mount, with 120 fueling positions. Air Connections: Air Canada plans to end its Vancouver–Raleigh-Durham route next summer amid weak demand. Dining: Asheville restaurants earned recognition in the 2026 Michelin Guide, adding to the city’s draw for food-focused visitors.

Outer Banks Access: Storm damage has closed a 14-mile stretch of N.C. 12 between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe, with about 800 feet of pavement damaged and 1,800 feet of dunes lost. Emergency ferry service has returned, but visitors should check access updates before traveling. Western NC Weekend: Asheville and surrounding communities have fall festivals, Halloween events, live music and outdoor activities lined up for Oct. 23–25. Air Connections: Coastal Carolina Regional Airport received a $750,000 federal grant to advance plans for daily service to Washington, D.C. Roadside Development: Buc-ee’s is eyeing a location in Gold Rock off I-95, adding to the chain’s plans for North Carolina.

Outer Banks Access: Storm damage has closed a stretch of N.C. 12 on Pea Island. Emergency ferries between Rodanthe and Stumpy Point are returning, but service is limited, delays are expected and visitors cannot ride ferries headed to Rodanthe. Check NCDOT updates before traveling. New Outdoor Attraction: Taylor’s Wave has opened on the French Broad River in Woodfin, adding a fresh draw for Asheville-area visitors. I-95 Stop: Buc-ee’s is pursuing a Rocky Mount travel center with 120 fuel pumps, 200 jobs and more than $60 million in planned investment; approvals are still needed. Passenger Rail: North Carolina has secured $550 million in federal funding for the Raleigh-to-Richmond S-Line, a major step toward expanded passenger service. Fall in Charlotte: Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, haunted trails and other seasonal events offer plenty of ways to enjoy autumn through Halloween.

Outer Banks Access: Coastal storms continue to disrupt travel, with N.C. 12 closures and ferry interruptions raising concerns for Hatteras Island visitors. Air Service: Coastal Carolina Regional Airport received a $750,000 federal grant to advance new daily service to Washington, D.C. Passenger Rail: A $550 million federal award will move North Carolina’s Raleigh-to-Richmond S-Line project forward, a potential boost for future visitor connections. Hotel Spotlight: Winston-Salem’s Graylyn Estate, a historic 85-room boutique hotel, has been named the nation’s top boutique hotel in USA TODAY’s 10Best readers’ rankings. Asheville Recovery: Biltmore Village’s restoration project won approval, offering a step forward for a key tourism district.

Outer Banks Access: A coastal storm has shut N.C. 12 between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe after overwash breached the dunes, while rough conditions battered the Ocracoke ferry. Check road and ferry updates before traveling. Air Service: Coastal Carolina Regional Airport won a $750,000 federal grant to advance plans for daily service to Washington, D.C. Wrightsville Beach Delays: Bridge inspections through Thursday are reducing the Heide Trask Drawbridge to one lane at a time; allow extra travel time. Fall Foliage: September heat may delay peak color in the Blue Ridge, making leaf-season timing less predictable for visitors. Future Roadside Stop: Buc-ee’s is eyeing a second North Carolina location near I-95 in Nash County, with rezoning expected to be discussed in early November.

Event-Driven Getaways: More couples are building weekends around concerts and sports, giving Cary and west Raleigh’s venues a tourism boost; Wake County lodging tax collections reached $41.4 million in 2025. Holiday Demand: Searches for Thanksgiving stays in Boone are up 275% year over year, as mountain towns and cabin escapes gain appeal. Outer Banks Access: A coastal storm has closed N.C. 12 between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe, raising fresh concerns about access to Hatteras Island as ferry service and attractions face disruption. Travel Infrastructure: North Carolina has secured $550 million in federal funding for its Raleigh-to-Richmond S-Line passenger rail project. Asheville Restoration: Biltmore Village’s restoration project won approval, supporting the recovery of a key visitor district.

Outer Banks Access: A coastal storm has kept Hatteras Island visitors under an evacuation order, with ferry service suspended and N.C. 12 still open. Officials warn high tides and wind could worsen conditions and cut off access. Asheville Recovery: Biltmore Village has approved a nearly $2.8 million project to restore historic sidewalks, replace trees and improve pedestrian safety, with construction planned for 2027–28. New Attraction: Sylvan Heights Bird Park in Scotland Neck has opened Penguin Point, featuring 10 endangered African penguins. Travel Connections: Raleigh-Durham International Airport is set to add nonstop winter flights to Belize and Turks and Caicos. North Carolina also received $550 million in federal funding for the planned Raleigh-to-Richmond S-Line passenger rail route.

Outer Banks Disruption: A powerful coastal storm has cut off Ocracoke ferry service and kept Hatteras Island closed to visitors. Cape Hatteras National Seashore campgrounds and other attractions are also shut as dangerous winds, surf and flooding persist. New Air Links: Raleigh-Durham International Airport is set to add nonstop winter flights to Belize and Turks and Caicos, opening new options for North Carolina travelers. Passenger Rail: A $550 million federal grant will advance the planned S-Line passenger route between Raleigh and Richmond. Mountain Tourism: Watauga County visitor spending topped $531 million, even as lodging options in Blowing Rock have shrunk.