Pushed by Golf, Tourism on Tempo for File Yr | Information

It was a dazzling spring for Moore County’s hospitality industry. Nearby hotels and short term rentals have made such a strong comeback that occupancy tax revenues have now been on trend for a record year.

“Based on what I see and hear, the destination is crowded,” said Phil Werz, CEO of Pinehurst Southern Pines Aberdeen Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB). “From what we know on the books this month, I’m confident that we will exceed $ 2 million this year.

“Thank god for golf. It just drives the goal. “

A year ago it was decidedly less optimistic. Hoteliers faced a steep drop in revenue as of early March with the spread of COVID-19 across the state. This dynamic hardly changed over the next nine months.

The pendulum began swinging back not long after the Christmas break.

“In January we had an all-time high for room tax collection in January. That was the first real sign that the recovery is taking hold, ”said Werz.

The March and April numbers were even better, breaking double-digit occupancy tax records.

“There is a need to catch up and a desire to travel. We are a rural county where it is easier to distance oneself socially and restrictions have been reduced. And golf has resurrected across the country. These are all factors, ”said Werz.

One unsolved challenge is the shortage of staff in the entire service industry. Local restaurants were hardest hit, but hotels weren’t immune to the fight.

“We don’t levy occupancy taxes on restaurants, but they have a huge impact on the destination and are a big part of our history,” said Werz. “I know that because of these bottlenecks, many of our stores cannot stay open as long as they want. This is one of the last hurdles we have to overcome. We need to get back to that (pre-pandemic) workforce.

“You want visitors to have a good experience. I know the state is trying to address this problem. But when it comes to a destination that relies heavily on hospitality, this is definitely a concern. “

A trio of junior golfers were spotted at Pinehurst Country Club Tuesday morning. Ted Fitzgerald / The Pilot

With the summer golf events in mind, Pinehurst Resort is ready for over 500 players to compete in the 2021 High School Golf National Invitational later this month.

Shortly thereafter, the Country Club of North Carolina (CCNC) will host the 73rd US Junior Amateurs, known as the US Open for Junior Golf. A total of 264 players are expected in July.

The US Kids Golf World Championship, closely followed by the US Kids Golf Teen Championship, returns in late July / early August bringing hundreds of young players and their families to the area.

“The pandemic is over in terms of tourism in this destination. Leisure travel is what drives it. Yes, group tours are still not available and may not return early next year. But leisure traffic is filling up, ”said Werz. “Maybe the pandemic has taught us a few lessons and maybe this mix of business and leisure travel is shifting again.

“We’re targeting a narrow circle of travelers, but I expect there will be a lot of customization for many destinations depending on where the travel demand is coming from and where travelers want to go in the future,” he added. “We’re not an anomaly, but we’re different from most destinations.”