Representatives from LaZoom and Gray Line discuss their experiences with summer’s tourism decline.
![](https://mountainx.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/NEWS_Bus-tours-330x220.jpg)
Representatives from LaZoom and Gray Line discuss their experiences with summer’s tourism decline.
Asheville’s newest Valentine’s Day soirée doesn’t quite embody traditional romance.
“I recently walked around the whole area and found only one African-American face, and that was on one brochure, of what seemed like hundreds, for a county assistance agency. What does that say to a black resident or visitor?”
Local tourism operators are sensing a shift in the racial makeup of visitors to the Asheville area. Though the data don’t definitively support that conclusion — at least not yet — efforts to make Asheville a more welcoming and inclusive destination continue, as do fledgling initiatives to give minority tourism entrepreneurs a bigger piece of the industry’s pie.
As Asheville’s ever-increasing popularity has piqued the interest of big hotel chains and other corporate enterprises, it’s also triggered fears of homogenization and loss of essential character, raising the question: Can Asheville stay weird?
Well Played opens Saturday, March 25. Also, LaZoom Tours has a new pop-up bar, Strange Carolinas aims to find the best burger in the state, kids can eat breakfast with Curious George and the Asheville School of Wine hosts the Mediterranean Diet Appalachian-Style dinner.
For supporters of the Standing Rock movement, there are multiple ways to get involved without leaving Asheville.
Looking to deck the halls, sing a carol, give a gift, take a stroll, see a play, make a craft or pass a wish list on to a man in a red suit? Here’s where to do all of those things. For more ideas, visit the Community Calendar and mountainx.com. • The FTW Burlesque Christmas […]
A half-century into his musical career, Baby Gramps has plenty of highlights from which to choose. Ask him to name a few, however, and he points to a pair of recent opportunities that arose from his inclusion the Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest companion album Rogue’s Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys. Gramps’ […]
The Feral Chihuahuas present a special show (not to be seen again) on the LaZoom bus. Performances are at 1:30 and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26 and Feb. 9.
Or rather, who stole the costumes and props from the LaZoom tour company?
Attention, locals and visitors: If you’re intrigued by Asheville’s creative climate, take advantage of LaZoom’s latest endeavour, the Asheville Art Tour. Hosted by local artist Gabriel Shaffer, the multi-axle expedition connects art enthusiasts to artists and offers a close look at the burgeoning art scene of Asheville from the open windows of the purple bus.
Photos by Zen Sutherland
LaZoom begins its Haunted Comedy Tours this Friday, Asheville on Bikes’ annual Pumpkin Pedaller is coming, and there’s a family-friendly fall festy (no scary costumes!) in the works.
It’s April Fool’s Day — but local funsters on wheels LaZoom tours aren’t joking about their April promotion