Two local movie theaters are gearing up to reopen after the COVID-19 pandemic shut them down last March. The theater that anchors Mayfaire Town Center in Wilmington could be welcoming back moviegoers in May. Another Wilmington movie theater, The Pointe 14 at The Pointe at Barclay, could reopen April 23. Regal Mayfaire & IMAX is listed as one of the Rega ...

Area residents, business owners and city leaders have said they are proud that the Wilmington Riverwalk was recognized as the No. 2 Riverwalk in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest in January. They hope the honor will build momentum toward the Riverwalk’s continued progress and its effect on the local economy.   The Riverwalk ru ...

The need for cancellations and postponements during the pandemic gave many organizations a chance to pause and ponder both their purpose and principles. The N.C. Azalea Festival officials used the past year to contemplate what is most important.   “Our mission is two-fold: to stimulate the economy of the region and to promote volunteerism,” said Alison B ...

People, parks and a pandemic made a strong combination for North Carolina state parks last year, with a record number of visi­tors taking advantage of the outdoor attractions.     Carolina Beach State Park, whose popularity was growing before COVID-19 hit, saw droves of visitors coming by land and sea.     According to an N.C. Department of Natu ...

The room occupancy tax total in New Hanover County fell 14.5% in 2020 compared to 2019, according to local tourism officials. That’s a decrease from about $15.5 million in 2019 to $13.2 million last year. Accommodations in New Hanover County, including hotels, motels, inns, room rentals, tourist camps or other short-term rentals, are subject to the county& ...

A midtown Wilmington hotel near New Hanover Regional Medical Center recently underwent a $3.5 million renovation. Crews gutted, then refurbished, all of the 120 rooms at the Hampton Inn Wilmington-Medical Park, 2320 S. 17th St. They also added a bar, renovated the hallways and bathrooms and expanded the fitness center, said general manager Ericka Hall. A Hilton ...

Many travelers seem to be itching for adventure, a tourism industry expert told local officials Thursday. Data shows that excitement about traveling is at its highest level since the beginning of the pandemic, said Kimberly Vince-Cruz, vice president of tourism market research firm Destination Analysts. According to Vince-Cruz, 56.7 % of those surveyed are open to tr ...

The first year of business is the most tenuous, no matter what, but add a pandemic to that year, and it becomes even more tricky. But if your business model gives your customers what they desire during such times, then you just keep on keeping on. That is what The Hive, a boutique hotel in downtown Wilmington, plans to do in 2021.   Kaylie O’Connor, one of the ...

Golf, on the decline in recent years, has seen renewed popularity in the months since COVID-19 limited Americans’ leisure and exercise options. That’s according to several national reports, including a November story for CBS News’ Moneywatch.   “Unlike sports like football, soccer and basketball, hitting the links allows for plenty of social ...

The Holiday Inn Resort in Wrightsville Beach has a new owner and will soon be upgraded, according to an announcement Tuesday. Officials with OTO Development of Spartanburg, South Carolina, stated in a news release that the purchase of the Holiday Inn Resort Wilmington E-Wrightsville Beach is the firm's fifth acquisition in three years. The sale price was not ...