As business owners begin to rebuild their livelihoods in the wake of Helene, financial relief efforts are beginning to take shape in Western North Carolina.
Tag: Explore Asheville
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TDA President Vic Isley plans to go full speed ahead in promoting tourism
BCTDA President and CEO of Explore Asheville Vic Isley says that in 2024, the TDA will stick to its four strategic imperatives that guide the organization’s decisions and planning: Delivering balanced and sustainable growth; encouraging safe and responsible travel; engaging and inviting more diverse audiences; and promoting and supporting Asheville’s creative spirit.
TDA board hears update on quarterly goals and initiatives
The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority board heard a quarterly progress report from Explore Asheville, the TDA’s marketing agency, regarding the authority’s strategic goals and initiatives at its Jan. 24 meeting. Highlights included the launch of a new Asheville-focused destination app, the upcoming redesign of the Explore Asheville website and the unveiling of the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail, which was funded by a $500,000 Tourism Product Development Fund investment in 2018.
Around town: One-man show finds laughs in the absurdity of people-pleasing
A local improv veteran will present a one-man show at Asheville Masonic Theater. Plus, an Asheville author releases a poetry collection, a local group honors MLK and The Orange Peel highlights local bands.
Business, nonprofit roundup: Moog lays off staff
According to a statement from the company, Moog plans to continue to be headquartered in Asheville, where it will continue to design, engineer, service and manufacture instruments, although a selection of instruments will be produced by “trusted partners.”
Business, nonprofit roundup: Flat Iron Hotel slated to open in the fall
The Flat Iron Hotel will comprise 71 guest rooms and six suites, and feature a rooftop bar, a speakeasy cocktail bar and an upscale Italian eatery offering dishes made from local ingredients.
Around Town: Book chronicles Carolina Mountain Club’s 100-year history
The Carolina Mountain Club marks its 100th anniversary with a new book. Plus, an author uses Black Mountain as a inspiration for her YA novel, a Buddhist monk will discuss his book and Citizen Vinyl presses an album celebrating Southern music.
From Asheville Watchdog: TDA Expenses for US Open: $70K for travel, food, coozies
On top of the $1.3 million Asheville paid to sponsor the U.S. Open tennis tournament, the public tourism board spent more than $70,000 in expenses that included catering and travel for their staff, board members and guests, nearly $25,000 on Asheville-branded beer coozies, and more than $1,000 on floral arrangements.
Luxury suites, perks for local VIPs in $1.3M US Open deal
The U.S. Open winds to a close this weekend in New York, and among those attending in the luxury suites at the tennis Grand Slam event will be more than two dozen Buncombe County VIPs – courtesy of the public tourism board and $1.3 million in local tax money.
What’s new in food: Dough House Vegan Donuts opens in Black Mountain
The Trashy Vegan owners launch a new doughnut shop in Black Mountain. Plus: Asheville Restaurant Week 2022 arrives; Spicewalla and Poppy’s Handcrafted Popcorn collaborate; and plenty more!
What’s new in food: Smasheville food truck brings the beef
Smasheville sets up shop at Wedge Brewery Co. Also: Nine Mile wins big with hot sauce; Katie Button debuts on Magnolia Network; and plenty more!
Around Town: WCU’s Mountain Heritage Day returns for 47th year
Mountain Heritage Day returns to Western Carolina University. Plus, Explore Asheville wants input on African American Heritage Trail, Biblical play comes to Wortham Theatre and more.
Buncombe commissioners must rein in the TDA
“Other cities have used their occupancy taxes to direct millions to infrastructure and social programs while still supporting vibrant tourism industries. Why can’t we?”
Haywood Street restrooms face permanent closure
Of the various downtown bathroom options available prior to the pandemic, only the city-owned facility at 29 Haywood St. was available 24/7. Since it closed, unsheltered residents have very few options.
New TDA boss sketches post-pandemic tourism plans
Victoria “Vic” Isley, the new president and CEO of the Explore Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau, says new paid advertising for Asheville, an expansion of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority board to include short-term rental owners and changes to occupancy tax allocation are all on the table in 2021.
Asheville Restaurant Week returns
With an emphasis on takeout specials, the ninth annual event runs Jan. 19-25.
2020 in review: Trends in motion
Xpress Assistant Editor Daniel Walton and local community figures discuss how the year’s events have accelerated many of the issues that were already facing Western North Carolina.
Short-term rentals lead Buncombe tourism recovery
While overall hotel revenue was down more than 27% year-over-year in September, the latest month for which data is available, overall vacation rental sales that month increased by about 55% year-over-year, according to Explore Asheville interim CEO Chris Cavanaugh.
BCTDA predicts ‘inevitable’ tourism recovery by 2023
Marla Tambellini, Explore Asheville’s vice president of marketing, shared an industry consultant’s view that “recovery is inevitable” during the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority’s annual meeting on Oct. 20.
Cooper mandates social distancing in retail stores
The new executive order, effective 5 p.m. on Monday, April 13, limits shoppers to 20% of a store’s permitted fire capacity or five customers per 1,000 square feet. High-volume locations such as checkouts must mark six-foot spaces to ensure social distancing in customer lines, and all stores must conduct “frequent and routine environmental cleaning and disinfection of high-touch areas.”
TDA approves $100,000 for Chow Chow festival
Last year, the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority contributed $75,000 to Chow Chow through its event development incubator fund. Planning is underway for the festival’s second year, which has a projected budget of $700,000. The event is tentatively scheduled for Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 10-13, with final dates to be confirmed in November.