Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/440033
DEC. 31 - JAN. 6, 2015 UCW 17 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM MARKETING CUMBERLAND COUNTY The North Carolina General Assembly and the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association endorse occupancy tax guidelines that state that two-thirds of occupancy tax collected must be used for tourism promotion. Tourism promotion is defined as : "advertise or market an area, publish brochures and other materials, engage in research or other activities that attract tourists or business travelers to an area." By legislation, Cumberland County is required to levy an occupancy tax. This tax is collected through hotels, and paid for by overnight tourists staying at their properties. Of the 6% occupancy tax collected, 1.5% goes toward debt reduction on the Crown Coliseum and 1.5% goes to the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. The balance is used to promote tourism within Cumberland County. These funds are distributed through the Tourism Development Authority (TDA.) The Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (FACVB) is contracted through the TDA to receive funds to promote tourism within Cumberland County. In turn, the bureau fulfills this through its mission of positioning Cumberland County as a destination for meetin gs, tournaments and individual travel. The FACVB is responsible to promote tourism assets in all Cumberland County municipalities. A great example of this inclusiveness is seen in the Cultural Heritage Driving Trails, which we first introduced about 6 years ago, and have continued to develop since their introduction. Eighteen Cultural Heritage trails divide many of Cumberland County's tourism assets into specific themes - such as African- American Heritage; Patriots, Past & Present; Literary Lanes; Religious Freedom; All-American Adventure and International Cuisine. Sites on the trails take visitors throughout Cumberland County. The trails, which were developed with input from a panel of historians, offer a great education on Cumberland County history. Each trail features a detailed description of that particular theme, the significance of each site, a map and driving directions between each site. Learn more at www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com/CulturalHeritageTrails. The trails are just one way the bureau promotes Cumberland County. In future columns, we will highlight other initiatives we have developed to benefit both visitors and residents. Patriot 14 Cinemas Carmike's Patriot 14 movie theater opened in November at 4761 Lake Valley Drive. The complex offers Cumberland County's only IMAX experience. The complex has 14 auditoriums, including one IMAX theater, all which screen the latest block- busters. The IMAX auditorium shows IMAX films, which offers images of greater size and resolution than conventional film. The curved IMAX screen runs 70 feet wide and 31 feet high. The IMAX auditorium seats 500. 4761 Lake Valley Drive Fayetteville, NC 28303 (910) 252-9684 On facebook: ww.facebook.com/Patriot14CarmikeCinemas FEATURED ATTRACTION Download , a mobile app for exploring Fort Bragg Communities. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Melody Foote Director of Communications Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Liberty Point Bulletin Photo Courtsey of Kaleo Supports Does your advertising leave you feeling this way? Advertising can be pretty complex. You may not know which way to turn. ere is a sign you can rely on — ours. Call us today so that our professionals can make the most of your advertising investment. Free Papers Working For You Another sign we're working for you. 484-6200 wwwupandcomingweekly.com