” The concern and resistance from the hotel and bed-and-breakfast industry about individual residents listing rooms for short-term rental on Airbnb or other similar sites is overstated and unwarranted.”
Tag: tourism
Showing 127-147 of 162 results
Letter writer: With bicycle tourism comes increased need for bike lanes
“Please create the infrastructure for bicyclists that is safe. Putting bikers on a road designed for auto traffic is a hazard — to all parties involved.”
Cash cows: How national and state parks boost N.C. communities
To many Western North Carolina residents, the region’s parks and recreational areas represent a chance to experience our state’s natural beauty and preserve its rich history. But what’s often overlooked is these attractions’ key role in bolstering local economies.
Will new hotels overwhelm Asheville’s carrying capacity?
Asheville currently has about 7,200 hotel and motel rooms that are subject to the 4 percent occupancy tax levied on room sales. And if all of those current hotel projects came to fruition (which is by no means guaranteed), it would add at least 1,115 more, boosting the total number by 15 to 20 percent.
Bicycle tourism: a growing factor in Western North Carolina
May flowers are here, bringing National Bike Month along for the ride. In anticipation of future tourists on bikes, a coalition of organizations in the western counties gave them a boost by supporting a new study by Kostelec Planning.
Asheville Grown Business Alliance: Working for now and 50 years down the road
From the Get It! Guide: The Asheville Grown Business Alliance takes 2015 by storm with a focus on diversifying, learning and courageously leveraging our community’s assets to create radical resilience and prosperity for everyone.
In latest TV appearence, Frommer credits artists for river district’s vibrancy
In a live Jan. 9 television appearance touting Asheville as 2015’s top travel destination, Pauline Frommer changed her tune, crediting artists for making the River Arts District vibrancy.
Frommer responds to criticism of ‘Good Morning America’ interview about Asheville
Responding to a torrent of local criticism over comments she made recently on “Good Morning America” about Asheville, Pauline Frommer says the TV segment was a matter of good intentions gone awry.
Frommer on ‘Good Morning America’: Asheville is 2015’s No. 1 travel destination
“Good Morning America” ushered in the new year with a Jan. 1 segment touting Asheville as the No. 1 destination in the country to visit in 2015.
Asheville named ‘America’s Quirkiest Town’ by Travel + Leisure Magazine
Since being named the “new freak capital of the U.S.” by Rolling Stone 14 years ago, Asheville has arguably only gotten weirder. And on Sept. 1, Travel + Leisure Magazine further burnished the town’s eccentric credentials, naming Asheville the No. 1 “Quirky Town” in America.
Sounds like money: New projects seek to increase local music tourism
Asheville may never be able to swipe the “Music City” moniker from a certain similarly named titan of sound in Tennessee, but several new initiatives aim to boost this area’s image as a serious music destination. The Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau, building on its success in helping nurture the city’s growing national reputation as […]
Spring brings increased risk of ozone danger
As spring weather returns to Asheville, so does the risk of dangerous levels of ozone pollution. To raise awareness and help notify the public when ozone levels become hazardous, environmental agencies will start issuing daily air quality forecasts Tuesday, April 1, for Asheville and other metropolitan areas across the state.
Creative Sector Summit aims to help bridge tourism industry and artists
Tourists spend about $1.5 billion in Buncombe County every year and the fourth annual Creative Sector Summit will explore opportunities for local artists to raise that number and better benefit from it. The series of panel discussions, workshops and other events will unfold Thursday-Sunday, March 20-23, at venues throughout downtown Asheville.
Destination Asheville: Local leaders chart course for tourism development
The tourism industry already brings in $2.3 billion annually to Buncombe County. That’s up from roughly $183 million 30 years ago. But to continue to grow local visitation, government officials and business owners need to “anticipate trends that are shaping the future,” says Mike Konzen, a leading global consultant.
Leaders gather to discuss local tourism development
About 150 community leaders gathered Dec. 11 to discuss Asheville’s strengths as a tourism destination, learn about new projects in the works, and share ideas for the future.
Commissioners to consider Long Mountain conservation easement
On Nov. 19, Buncombe Commissioners will consider spending $69,000 on a conservation easement to protect 121 acres of land from development on Long Mountain in the Upper Hominey area.
Family feud continues over Moog archives
The family feud continues over where to store renowned electronic instrument inventor Bob Moog’s archives, with his widow and the president of his daughter’s foundation releasing dueling statements.
Metro Economy Outlook: Job growth strong, wages stagnant
The state of the Asheville area economy is getting stronger, with job numbers nearing prerecession levels, but wages remain stagnant, according to panelists at the 14th annual Asheville Metro Economy Outlook.
Moog foundation objects to archives going to NY
A move to ship Bob Moog’s archives from Asheville to New York is creating family discord over the best way to preserve the late inventor’s legacy.
Popular section of Blue Ridge Parkway closed from Ox Creek to Mt. Mitchell
The Blue Ridge Parkway is now closed from Milepost 375, a few miles north of Asheville, to Milepost 355 at N.C. 128/Mount Mitchell State Park, according to the National Park Service.
Circle the wagons
I understand that nostalgia is popular, but I have to ask, at what cost? A horse sharing the pavement with motor vehicles has never been a good mix, and the new business of offering carriage rides in downtown Asheville seems quite problematic. Besides questioning the humaneness of forcing a single horse to pull a heavy […]