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Sept. 25, 2024
At today's Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) meeting, President and CEO Vic Isley introduced Explore Asheville’s new Strategic Framework Towards Destination Stewardship. Building on the authority’s strategic imperatives developed from more than 100 hours of community input and planning efforts, the framework outlines strategies and benchmarks for measuring progress toward balancing and harmonizing the diverse needs of Asheville and Buncombe County through travel and hospitality.
While this three-year framework establishes measures for tracking the progress of these imperatives, implementing these strategies is already underway. This includes continuous investments in community capital projects and cultural celebrations, such as the reopening of the YMI Cultural Center this Thursday and the return of Goombay to our community this weekend.
Other takeaways from the September board meeting include:
- August lodging occupancy and demand;
- Himanshu Karvir and Tim Rosebrock began their three-year terms on the authority's board of directors;
- An update on sporting event recruitment and its estimated $3+ million for our community;
- A recap of the 2024 BCTDA Annual Meeting and release of the FY24 Annual Report.
The recent Airport Roundtable, co-hosted with Asheville Regional Airport, set a new attendance record with over 65 participants including representatives from nine airlines. Following the event, Delta Airlines announced nonstop flights from Boston to Asheville on Saturdays and Sundays beginning May 2025. This is great news for our residents and future visitors to our community.
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| August Lodging Occupancy Ends Summer on a Strong Note |
| Total Roomnight Demand Up 16% Fiscal Year to Date |
August hotel occupancy was up one point from 2023 and down eight points from 2019. Vacation rental occupancy was up three points from 2023 and two points from 2019.
August hotel demand is flat from 2019 to 2024, while vacation rental demand grew 47% over the same period.
| View the Latest Destination Dashboard |
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| Welcome New BCTDA Board Members |
| Appointed by Buncombe County and Asheville Chamber of Commerce |
Today, the board welcomed President & CEO of Virtelle Hospitality Himanshu Karvir as the Buncombe County appointee representing a lodging property with fewer than 100 rooms. Karvir currently serves as the chair of the Legacy Investment from Tourism (LIFT) Fund Committee and has previously served as the board chair of the BCTDA.
Biltmore’s Vice President of Compliance & Legal Services Tim Rosebrock also started his term today. Rosebrock is the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce appointee, actively involved in tourism as an executive from a ticketed tourism attraction.
Both Karvir and Rosebrock will serve three-year terms ending August 2027 and are eligible for reappointment to a second three-year term.
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| Strategic Framework Toward Destination Stewardship |
| Measuring Economic, Cultural, and Environmental Benchmarks |
Explore Asheville’s Strategic Framework Toward Destination Stewardship aims to balance and harmonize the diverse needs of Asheville and Buncombe County through the lens of economic, cultural, and environmental sustainability.
It builds on the authority’s strategic imperatives, cultivated from more than 100 hours of community listening and planning efforts, to balance visitor experiences and resident quality of life. The framework outlines existing strategies and establishes benchmarks for measuring progress toward destination stewardship.
| Read the Strategic Framework Toward Destination Stewardship |
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| Sports Partnership Progress |
| An Update on Explore Asheville’s Sporting Events Recruitment |
Direct Booking Through Explore Asheville
Booked with Airstream Ventures
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Partnered with HCCA, ABRSC and Ingles to secure neutral site event. Agreement between HCC and Southern Conference is for 2024, 2025 and 2026, with options to extend into 2027 and 2028.
Booked with UNC Asheville and First Bank
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| BCTDA Annual Meeting Recap |
| Thanks for Joining Us at Our Most Recent Partner Event |
- Keynote speaker Rohit Bhargava inspired attendees to think and market in non-obvious ways ;
- McKibbon Hospitality was recognized with the 25th annual William A.V. Cecil Award and a commemorative video directed by Paul Bonesteel;
- Outgoing BCTDA board members Kathleen Mosher and Scott Patel were honored;
- Street Sinatra dazzled with opening and closing acts.
The networking reception provided an opportunity for partners to foster new and stronger community connections. Attendees received the FY24 BCTDA Annual Report, which captures last year's collective accomplishments.
| Read the FY24 BCTDA Annual Report |
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| YMI Cultural Ribbon Cutting and Reopening |
| Join Us on Thursday, September 26 |
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MORE INFORMATION & NEXT MEETING OF BCTDA
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Delivering Balanced
& Sustainable Growth
Encouraging Safe & Responsible Travel
Engaging & Inviting More Diverse Audiences
Promoting & Supporting Asheville's
Creative Spirit
| FOLLOW OUR PROGRESS |
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