“I think it would be nice to have a full disclosure of how the $3 billion is spent and who gets it. It just doesn’t sit well with me.”
Tag: tourism
Showing 1-21 of 161 results
Trout hatchery renovation could impact local tourism
A renovation expected to begin next year at the 67-year-old Bobby N. Setzer Fish Hatchery in Brevard will diminish upcoming trout stockings in local rivers by two-thirds. However, the effect that renovation could have on tourism and businesses that rely on anglers is difficult to determine.
Hospitality workers reveal health care struggles in new survey
Less than one-fourth of Asheville hospitality workers in a recent survey have paid sick leave, and 85% have gone to work sick.
Letter: Workers + no housing = ?
“If people cannot afford to live here (or near here), we will not have workers to serve the tourists we are trying to woo.”
Letter: Send BID bill to the tourism bureau
“Since much of this effort revolves around cleaning up downtown to make it more desirable for tourists, demand that the funds come from the tourism bureau and their grossly overfunded budget.”
Planning board defers voting on county’s short-term rental ordinance
“Based on what we have heard from the community … I firmly believe that the best path forward will be to broaden the scope of our discussions to include those issues surrounding STRs,” board Chair Nancy Waldrop said during the April 22 meeting.
Letter: Why locals get ‘emotional’ about Asheville’s changes
“But I watched this little city that I loved transform by the spending of millions on tourism and catering to all things tourist-oriented.”
Planning Board updates proposed STR rules ahead of public hearing
The proposed changes will be considered at a public hearing Monday, April 22, at A-B Tech’s Ferguson Auditorium starting at 5:30 p.m. in which planning board members will vote on whether to approve the recommendations.
Downtown mulls 2024 business improvement district proposal
Among those who are skeptical, the point of contention is whether a business improvement district overburdens downtown taxpayers for basic services that should be provided by the City of Asheville and Buncombe County.
Food and beverage workers union eyes future growth
Asheville Food and Beverage United seeks to interrupt “the abusive culture that just keeps being perpetuated,’” explains Jen Hampton, the union’s lead organizer. Her work in the service industry spanned over 30 years, with the last 16 in Asheville.
An Asheville ‘leaver’ checks in
“In fact, much of the ire now being aimed at the TDA — and tourism in general — merely echoes concerns about the tourism of a century ago, and the mismanagement and negligence of city government back then.”
Letter: We need a new plan, Asheville
“Our new interim police chief, Michael Lamb, City Manager Debra Campbell and the Council need to listen to a new plan so that Asheville can regain the national reputation it once had as the Eastern mountain destination.”
Letter: Trains, plazas and resilience
“It would be great to have a train system around Asheville — to and from the Asheville, Charlotte and Greenville airports going to destinations in and around Asheville — including some of the small towns nearby.”
Letter: Use TDA budget to offset tourism’s downsides
“I fully support the Tourism Development Authority budget being changed so that half of its current earnings serve to offset the negative impacts of tourism.”
Letter: Spend tourism tax money on infrastructure
“The proceeds from the tax (75% plus) should be going toward enhancing the infrastructure that the visitors and locals use.”
Letter: Cut tourism promotion and reallocate funds
“My vote would be to cut tourism promotional expenditures by 90% and reallocate those funds to improve infrastructure, deal with the homeless situation and lower the exorbitant residential property taxes.”
Letter: TDA should put money where it’s urgently needed
“Put your money where it’s needed: Give it to local organizations that do not have your resources that are already helping the desperate to get on their feet and off the streets; reduce the unhoused and underserved population; make a difference in the world; make Asheville a better place to visit; and your tourists will come.”
Tourism board approves over $6 million for three projects
The approved projects include upgrades to the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville and an outdoor covered equestrian arena for the WNC Agricultural Center as well as new turf, lighting and a playground for the Enka Recreation Destination.
Letter: What a tourism director’s salary tells us about priorities
“Now we understand that tourism is more important than education, jobs, roads, DEI, health care or absolutely anything else.”
Letter: Close the homeless floodgates
“The thought of being identified will send most of the homeless packing.”
Letter: Tourism revenue could support housing for officers
“If the Tourism Development Authority feels strongly enough about taking steps to reduce common street crime and other headline-grabbing crimes, perhaps using a portion of tourism revenue to subsidize the cost of local housing for officers would help.”