Letter: Advertising isn’t the only way to increase tourism

Posted on by Letters
Graphic by Lori Deaton

Regarding the size and allocation of tourist money, I believe that too much money is going to promoting tourism through advertising. If the Asheville area did not appear regularly in many publications promoting the area, perhaps our local board would need to advertise.

However, in an area with many other needs, it seems only sensible to address these needs. Actually, everything that improves the area in any way makes tourists like the area more.

And, in fact, building a wonderful concert center to replace the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium would clearly be a tourist draw, so spending tourism dollars on such a center is entirely appropriate.

The only real complaint I have heard from visitors regards homeless people in the downtown area panhandling and committing crimes. Again, solving those issues would increase tourism!

I hope that our officials will realize that advertising the area is not the only way to increase tourism.

— Pat Scherer
Weaverville

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3 thoughts on “Letter: Advertising isn’t the only way to increase tourism”

  1. Hiram

    Absolutely! Please see the wisdom of protecting all large intact urban forests near the French Broad River near town. Improve quality of life for full-time resident taxpayers, especially our underpaid teachers, librarians, caregivers, law enforcement of any and all colors. Enforce/improve noise ordinances so that children and essential workers can get proper amounts of sleep. Keep the water flowing, and fix the dang roads!

  2. James

    I also very much hope that a new venue can be arranged for our wonderful symphony orchestra, however…

    We don’t get to say how much TDA money is spent on expanding tourism. The state legislature determines that.

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