Visitor Inquiries

Visitor inquiries were down 20% for 2010-11 which reflects the trend of tough times for the tourism industry in general, however, website visits were up 11% during this same period.· The Johnston County Visitors Bureau continues to expand efforts in e-marketing, web SEO and ad campaigns to increase awareness of our destinations' assets.·· The following information will be helpful for area businesses as they also focus marketing efforts to key feeder markets -- getting local North Carolinians to travel within the state remains a top market for Johnston County.

Pieces of literature distributed

2009-10····· 40,489
2010-11····· 33,907

Top Feeder Markets for Visitor Inquiries

                                                  North Carolina
                                                  Florida
                                                  New York
                                                  Pennsylvania
                                                  South Carolina
                                                  Virginia
                                                  Texas
                                                  New Jersey
                                                  Ohio
                                                  Georgia

Per the Annual Report from the NC Division of Tourism, the source for overnight demand to NC comes from the following top ten states:

NC - 35%    VA - 10%    SC - 8%    GA - 6%    NY - 4%

PA - 4%    MD - 3%    TN - 3%    NJ - 2%    OH - 2%

Top Sources of inquiries came from the following advertising placements, several of which were placed in partnership with the NC Division of Tourism.
AAA Go Magazine
AAA World Magazine
Budget Travel
NC Coast Host (Internet inquiries)
Compass Media Newspaper Travel Insert
Holiday Sweepstakes 2010 (online promotion)
NC Civil War Traveler
Oprah Magazine
Our State Magazine
Southern Living (Carolina Premium Outlet partnership)
Spring Travel Guide

Visitor Guide Distribution

 Visitor guide and bulk literature distribution through Johnston County, AAA and NC Welcome Centers was flat compared to 2009.

Website Inquiries Up

Unique Visitors to the Johnston County website were up 11% in 2010 over 2009 visitation numbers.

2009-10···· 47,654              2010-11···· 53,051

Top sources of website inquiries are within a 50 radius or regional market, which indicates our web information is primarily being used for festivals/events,  attractions, and things to do in Johnston County. 

Raleigh····· 15,174
Smithfield··· 5,993
Garner········ 3,296
Clayton······· 3,081
Cary··········· 2,155
Fayetteville·· 1,228
Durham······· 1,131
Pittsboro······1,113
Charlotte····· 1,119
Goldsboro······ 903