Masks are required, bars are closed and isolation fatigue is setting in. As Buncombe enters this new phase, Xpress took a look at the COVID-19 stats — both in Western North Carolina and in some likely points of origin for short-term visitors.
Tag: Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority
Showing 85-105 of 171 results
Letter: TDA’s shortcomings add to tourism feedback loop
“Compared to its peers, the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority doesn’t do a particularly good job.”
BCTDA seeks ‘responsible travelers’ in new ads
During a June 24 meeting, the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority board heard a presentation from marketing firm 360i about a new advertising campaign, scheduled to start in July, designed to attract a “responsible tourist audience” to the region. Ads will target visitors whose behaviors agree with “psychographic statements” about “willingness to conform.”
Meanwhile at the bird feeder
Local government advisory groups hindered during COVID-19
Since March 16, local government boards and commissions meetings have been canceled, meaning citizens have largely been shut out of formal policy discussions as Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners manage the tandem economic and public health crises caused by the coronavirus.
BCTDA to resume marketing with ‘soft call to action’
“Our objective is to safely and responsibly encourage travel, working hand-in-hand with our local health officials and government, as we move toward that direct invitation of visitors to our community,” said Marla Tambellini, Explore Asheville’s vice president of marketing.
Who will benefit from local COVID-19 business relief?
Funds supported with tax money from Buncombe County, the city of Asheville and the Tourism Development Authority are being managed by the nonprofit Mountain BizWorks. Because of this arrangement, government and TDA officials say they will play no direct role in determining what area businesses and nonprofits receive public dollars.
From AVL Watchdog: $5M TDA relief bill for small businesses helps hotels too
Coronavirus relief is just the latest topic in an ongoing debate over whether the Tourism Development Authority, with its mission to bring ever more overnight guests to Buncombe County, is good for county residents — or just good for the hotel industry that has controlled it since its inception nearly four decades ago.
News roundup: $5M in tourism relief passes GA, Pack Library launches senior outreach
The legislative change allows the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority to use $5 million from its Tourism Product Development Fund — which previously had to be allocated to nonprofit entities or local government and spent on capital projects — for grants of up to $50,000 in support of tourism businesses other than lodging.
Biz in brief: Buncombe TDA grants, Salute to Small Business Week
Local businesses are bringing creativity to bear on pandemic-related closures and plans for business revitalization following the end of restrictions. They could get some help: Sen. Chuck Edwards of Hendersonville announced he will introduce legislation to the N.C. General Assembly to allow the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority to make grants to tourism businesses to support their reopening.
BCTDA outlines COVID-19 tourism impacts, response
In the first weekend of March, said Explore Asheville’s Marla Tambellini, hotels throughout the county were at roughly 90% occupancy. By March 27-28, only about 15% of rooms were filled, and the average price for those accommodations was approximately half its usual rate — $80 instead of $160.
Doing their part
Newman, local hoteliers split on occupancy tax changes
“The good news — if you’re someone who wants to see the hotel tax law changed — is that all parties seem to be in agreement,” Newman told Xpress. “They want to see the law changed, but at this point, we’re not on the same page about how to change it.”
Ashes to Asheville
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
TDA increases ad budget by $1M
As presidential hopefuls blitz the airwaves over the coming months to hook undecided voters, the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority will be stepping up its own campaign. The authority’s board voted to increase its spring and summer advertising budget by $1 million, for a total of $12.65 million, during a Jan. 29 meeting. “We considered […]
City proposes $100M makeover for Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
“Other than a new roof, the exterior shell and a few walls here and there, we’re looking at a brand-new facility,” said Chris Corl, general manager of Harrah’s Cherokee Center — Asheville, as he displayed concepts for the auditorium developed by the Nashville-based Earl Swensson Associates. He described the plan as “not a renovation, but a transformation.”
Letter: The elephants in the room
“Sounds like Asheville/Buncombe struggles with the TDA and HCA. Unsolved city problems spread to regions.”
Letter: TDA needs to listen to concerns
“This kind of denial of how tourism has negatively impacted people who live here will only infuriate them more.”
On the beat: City government reporter Brooke Randle reflects on 2019
Brooke Randle’s reporting in 2019 took her from boardrooms to living rooms and everywhere in between, as she sought to uncover the issues, people and happenings that shape our city. Here’s a look back over her exciting first year with Xpress.
Letter: Sheriff has work to do on jail conditions
“Thanks for the best issue in years on Nov. 27, featuring the hateful TDA and neighborhood fascists, corruption, suppression of public comment, but most of all, hunger and cold in the Buncombe jail.”
Letter: Hotels, businesses must examine how they treat local workers
“The people of Asheville have had enough of being exploited, and it is time to abolish the Buncombe County TDA.”