Coming attractions boost industry's going concerns.

• Author: Murray, Arthur O.
• Position: TRAVEL/TOURISM - Industry overview

Good weather meant good times for Tar Heel tourist attractions last year. From the coast to the mountains, a winter that was cold but not too cold, a summer that was hot but not too hot and a hurricane season that brought little wind or rain allowed crowds to flock to beaches, golf courses and other spots.

Carolyn McCormick, executive director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, says occupancy-tax revenue through October was $36.1 million--up about 9% from 2005, which also was a strong year. Innkeepers were helped by a weak dollar that kept many vacationers from going overseas. "We're not inexpensive," McCormick says. "Some oceanfront rentals in summer are going for $10,000 a week. That attracts the same person that's going to look at a trip to Paris or check out the Great Wall of China." Demand for lodging should remain high this year. "One company says it is 73% up in advance bookings." Rates, however, are stable so far.

Carol Lohr, executive director of the Crystal Coast Tourism Development Authority in Carteret County, says occupancy-tax collections were up about 14% through October. One reason was the reopening last May of the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. It had been closed nearly three years for a $25 million renovation, which expanded it from 29,000 to 93,000 square feet. Lohr says 2007 will be another good year. The authority is promoting Morehead City's 150th anniversary in May. She thinks it will attract adults nostalgic about childhood summers at the beach.

Pinehurst hopes to lure more visitors by offering more tee times on its most popular course, says Tom Pashley, executive vice president of sales and marketing. Pinehurst No. 2 was closed five weeks in 2005 because of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Last year, it started allowing players to begin rounds on the 10th hole rather than starting everyone on the first. "It allowed us to get more people on the course at the times they wanted to play." The number of rounds played at Pinehurst's eight courses was up 10% from 2005.

The resort did well in 2006, particularly with groups and business travelers, Pashley says, though he declined to provide revenue. He expects another good year. The second phase of an $8 million renovation of The Carolina hotel is scheduled to be finished in mid-March. He also expects the resort to benefit from the U.S. Women's Open in late June at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in nearby Southern Pines and from the 2007 Jimmy V Celebrity Golf...