Press release from Explore Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Memorial Day weekend traditionally heralds the start of the summer travel season and, this year, people who visit Buncombe County have a new, streamlined mobile platform—WelcomeToAVL.com—from the Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau to assist in on-the-ground travel plans and featuring attractions, activities, hikes, events and parking. Any tourism related business is included for free, so the website is comprehensive and provides value for people who visit and local businesses.
Using analysis of visitor web use and frequently asked questions, WelcomeToAVL.com simplifies the user experience for people who have already arrived. For frontline hospitality staff—including hotel front-desk agents, concierge services and tour guides—WelcomeToAVL.com puts the most-requested destination information at their fingertips.
A tile-based interface provides easy access to listings of local businesses including restaurants, breweries, attractions, tours, retail and galleries. Additional content connects visitors to ExploreAsheville.com’s full calendar of events, as well as to a curated round-up of weekend offerings and a database of popular local hiking trails.
For visitors, the platform repackages the resources available at ExploreAsheville.com into a format that is highly relevant to their mid-trip needs. Real-time parking availability is pulled in through the City of Asheville feed—no need to download an additional app for access.
“WelcometoAVL.com is responsive to the needs of local businesses who asked for an easy way to put requested information into the hands of their staff who are assisting visitors, but also serves as a product used directly by their guests,” said Explore Asheville President & CEO Stephanie Brown. “The platform serves up business listings, events and other helpful information in a straight-forward, easy-to-use manner to connect visitors with local activities and events.”
“The new mobile site is a free, comprehensive resource that enables spontaneity and exploration of Buncombe County and will be helpful in dispersing visitors throughout the community,” Brown continued. “Local businesses get free, direct exposure to visitors who are already here.”
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