With Memorial Day coming up and marking the unofficial start to the summer travel season, local companies are keeping a hopeful eye on the vacation rental housing market for the area’s beaches.

A surge in reservations for June, July and August is already happening on Bald Head Island, said Trisha Howarth, hospitality sales and marketing director for Bald Head Island Limited and communication chairwoman for the N.C. Vacation Rental Managers Association.

“We are having a tremendous year over last year,” Howarth said.

The Bald Head Island company handles upscale vacation rental homes with two-10 bedrooms as well as four studio apartments.

Howarth said reservations were close to 18 percent higher than last year so far in 2013. Easter rentals brought close to 80 percent occupancy this year, even though the March holiday was earlier than usual, and April weekends filled up as well. 

Tom Johnson, broker-in-charge and manager of vacation rentals for Intracoastal Realty also said he was optimistic about the upcoming season based on how the year has been going.

“Reservations are up slightly in both Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach,” he said.

Long-term, three- to six-month leases, were about 20 percent higher this year, indicating a shift in the economy, Johnson said. Renters such as film industry workers and people needing interim housing take long-term rentals during the off-season.

Summer rental reservations follow a cycle, Johnson said. Some families make tentative reservations a year in advance, receiving confirmation after Jan. 1. Reservations pick up in January and February, then again at the end of April and into May and June, he said.

CVB marks Travel and Tourism Week

The Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau is coordinating the local observance of National Travel and Tourism Week May 4-12, according to a press release from Connie Nelson, the bureau’s spokeswoman.

The 30th annual national week, presented by the U.S. Travel Association, is intended “to recognize the economic impact of travel and tourism on national and local economies; and to recognize the cultural and social benefits created by travel and tourism,” the release stated.

As part of the local activities, New Hanover County commissioners issued a proclamation about the week and the connection between travel and tourism and jobs and 

small businesses.

Visitor information centers in Wilmington, Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach are displaying “Welcome! Thanks for Visiting” banners and desk posters and distributing free postcard souvenirs to visitors, the release stated.

The desk posters also are on display at other accommodations and attractions throughout New Hanover County during the week. 

In North Carolina, travel and tourism is among the state’s fastest growing industries, according to the press release. 

In 2011, domestic travelers spent more than $18 billion in North Carolina. The economic impact of tourism in New Hanover County during 2011 – the most recent data available – was estimated at nearly $426 million, ranking the county as No. 9 in tourism spending among 

the state’s 100 counties, according to the N.C. Department of Tourism, Film and Sports Development.

“Travel and tourism provides more than 5,100 jobs in New Hanover County and supports a 

payroll of $94.44 million,” the release stated. “Travel and tourism generates approximately $39.18 million in state and local tax receipts, representing a $190.02 tax saving to each county resident.”

Cape Fear Riverboats hits 25 years

In 1988, the Henrietta II’s big red- and-white, 16-foot diameter paddle wheel churned up the Cape Fear River, and in 2000 the larger Henrietta III launched. 

Cape Fear Riverboats this spring marked its 25th anniversary in Wilmington. During the past couple of decades, Henrietta II and III has carried tens of thousands of passengers on nearly 12,000 cruises, according to a press release.

Passengers on the first cruise included city officials, investors and friends of Capt. Carl Marshburn, who came up with the idea to start a riverboat company in downtown Wilmington, the release stated. 

“When we came under the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, I could not believe the number of people lining the riverbank standing at the foot of Market Street to welcome us,” Marshburn said in the release. “I had never docked the Henrietta II before, so I muttered a prayer to not blow this docking.”

In 2013, the Henrietta III’s schedule will include cruises and events that were popular during Cape Fear Riverboats’ early years as well as more recent offerings.

Area hotels receive awards

Several area hotel employees and facilities recently won industry awards.

Summit Hospitality Group named Melanie Akin, general manager of the Hampton Inn Wilmington-University Area/Smith Creek Station, as the group’s General Manager of the Year. 

Akins has received several other awards while working for the Hampton Inn including three Lighthouse Awards, 14 consecutive Wall of Frame Awards and a Circle of Excellence Award. 

Summit Hospitality Group also recognized Kim Hale as Sales Champion of the Year. According 

to a press release, the award recognizes Hale’s commitment to excel and exceed expectation in sales performance. Hale, area sales manager, has represented the Hampton Inn University Area as well as Hampton Inn & Suites Landfall Park and the Resident Inn Landfall in more than nine years working with the company. 

Homewood Suites by Hilton Wilmington/Mayfaire received two awards at a recent Hilton Worldwide/ Homewood Suites awards banquet in Orlando, Fla. Homewood Suites Wilmington/Mayfaire received a merit award for Connie Pride, placing it 4th in the world for the brand in 2012, up from 22nd in 2011. The hotel also won a merit award for Most Improved Extended Stay Occupancy Percentage for 2012.

And the Comfort Suites Magnolia Greens hotel in Leland received a 2013 Platinum Hospitality Award, given by Choice Hotels International Inc., which is the franchisor of the Comfort Suites. 

“As one of the company’s top franchised hotels operating under the Comfort Suites flag, the hotel has demonstrated an exceptional focus on guest satisfaction and dedication to providing superior service,” a news release stated. “Additional award criteria are evaluated by Choice Hotels through its official property ranking reports.”