GOV. EASLEY TELLS ITALIAN TRAVEL LEADERS: NOW IS THE TIME TO VISIT N.C.

RALEIGH - Gov. Mike Easley today told Italian travel and tourism officials that current exchange rates, combined with North Carolina’s diverse vacation destinations, make this the best time for international travelers to vacation in the state. The governor and First Lady Mary Easley hosted a travel and tourism luncheon earlier today at the Rose Garden Palace Hotel in Rome, Italy. The luncheon provided Italian leaders with the opportunity to meet the state’s top economic leaders as well as view a new DVD showcasing North Carolina’s exceptional attractions.

“Thousands of Europeans visit North Carolina each year,” said Easley. “By reaching out personally to the travel and business community in Italy, we are confident we can attract even more overseas visitors, as well as business investment. With the strength of the Euro, we believe the time is right to expand our state’s efforts to new and emerging markets.”

More than two dozen tourism operators, travel writers and tourism officials attended the luncheon. Presentations, which included the premier of a new promotional DVD and slideshow about travel opportunities in North Carolina, updated attendees about the state's three geographic areas:

• The coast with its many attractions along the state's 480 kilometers of barrier islands and beaches;
• The Piedmont, with attractions including world-class golfing, museums and NASCAR; and
• Western North Carolina with its beautiful mountains, outstanding parks, historic sites and a thriving wine industry.

North Carolina has four daily non-stop flights that bring European visitors to the state each day. In 2006, 533,000 Italians visited the United States and spend $2.1 billion on travel to the country.

Earlier in the day, Easley attended a country briefing by U.S. Commercial Service officials at the U.S. Embassy in Rome. The briefing included an overview of Italy, with specific emphasis on the economy, major industries and areas of opportunity for North Carolina, focusing on tourism, agriculture and opportunities for Italian investment in the state.

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