Explore Asheville

No one could have anticipated Hurricane Helene and the water system failure in Asheville and Western North Carolina; it couldn’t have struck at a worse time for our mountain communities. Based on preliminary estimates, Explore Asheville projects Buncombe County visitor economy may experience a 70% decline in Q4 2024 alone, translating to more than $584 million in lost revenue for restaurants and breweries, lodging, recreation and entertainment companies, retail shops and art galleries, and transportation partners. This matters to our entire community as it translates to lower revenues for local businesses, wages for workers, and tax revenues for municipal partners in a time when peak season generally carries us through to spring. Even in the face of these unprecedented challenges, we continue to see beacons of hope. Just seven weeks after Helene, the City of Asheville restored potable water—a significant milestone for residents and businesses. Biltmore Estate and the Omni Grove Park Inn are now open to guests, many of our famed restaurants and breweries have reopened their doors to customers, and hotels and inns are open to welcome overnight guests. More than 970 partners have reported reopening their businesses, representing a 37% increase from last week. Explore Asheville and Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority's role is to support the health of our economy by shining a spotlight on our community's creative and resilient spirit. We are working more closely than ever with partners and collaborating with agencies near and far to help our community come back stronger than ever. Takeaways from the October board meeting include: ?? Finance Committee recommended revisiting a budget amendment at the next board meeting in January 2025; ?? October lodging occupancy and demand hit record lows for what is traditionally peak season; ?? Damage assessment of community capital project investments and grant fund cycles recalibrated for longer-range planning; ?? Marketing strategy encourages visitors to plan their trip with heart this season, building on collaborative promotional and research efforts with Biltmore and Visit NC. The spirit of holiday travel takes on a deeper meaning this year.

A BIG milestone for Asheville residents and businesses—clean water has been restored to the city’s taps, and the boil water notice has been lifted! This is another incredible example of the resiliency and strength of our local mountain community. With power fully restored and potable water widely restored, attractions, restaurants, breweries, music venues, hotels, inns, and businesses (outside of higher impact areas such as Swannanoa and parts of the River Arts District) are open, widely available, and welcoming guests across the Asheville area. Return with heart and be part of our comeback. Your support means the world to our deeply rooted, creative community.

Travel and hospitality-related businesses in Buncombe County can now apply for financial support from the #AlwaysAshevilleFund to reopen following devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. More than $750,000 is available in microgrants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. Eligibility Requirements: ?? Business must be a small, independent business with at least two employees and not more than 100 employees as of September 26, 2024. ?? Business must have been in operation before July 1, 2024. ?? Business must provide direct in-person visitor experience. A business providing lodging, in whole or in part, is not eligible. ?? Business must be physically located within Buncombe County. ?? Applicant must be able to demonstrate the business was impacted by Hurricane Helene, including but not limited to business interruption, physical damage, and/or loss of equipment or inventory. ?? Business must provide a clear plan to re-open quickly and a detailed description of grant fund use. Businesses must apply before 5 pm on Nov. 11, 2024. Explore Asheville will host open office hours Monday, Nov. 4, through Friday, Nov. 8, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. at Explore Asheville’s office. To apply, visit https://lnkd.in/eKVWRYC8

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, we are heartened by the incredible grit, gumption, and resolve of our Appalachian community. As we support our community’s commitment to recover and rebound, each of us has a role to play in building a stronger future together. Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority’s role is to shine a spotlight on this creative community to support economic vitality for small businesses and neighborhoods to prevent an economic disaster on the heels of a natural disaster. We are working with our partners to understand their needs on the ground and to maintain jobs for residents in Asheville, Buncombe County, and the broader Western North Carolina region. Alongside our partners at U.S. Travel Association, Visit North Carolina, and Tourism Economics, history shows that most destinations recover from named storms within a year. Visitor spending recovery in Puerto Rico and New Orleans took two and four years, respectively. Given our region’s terrain and the failure of our city’s water system, our comeback is facing distinct challenges. Asheville is opening in stages and pockets. Reopening milestones throughout the community give us hope and are aligned with requests to begin welcoming back customers respectfully and in tune with our community, when and where it’s safe to do so. Takeaways from the October board meeting include: ?? A forecast reducing net revenue projections by $10.1 million to $24.2 million from $34.3 million based upon Tourism Economics data; ?? September lodging occupancy and demand; ?? Hurricane Helene recovery response initiatives Love Asheville From Afar, the Always Asheville Fund, and Concert for Carolina; ?? Supporting merchant Recovery and reopening messaging, the Visit NC Travel Advisory Map, and the new Explore Asheville website; ?? Business continuity efforts and recovery resources; ?? Tourism Product Development Fund, Legacy Investment From Tourism Fund, and Festivals and Cultural Events Support Fund updates. Explore Asheville and the authority will continue to support the recovery of small and local businesses and our community in the months and years to come, and we hope that you join us in that effort.? Click here for a full recap of the first BCTDA Board of Directors Meeting post-Hurricane Helene: https://lnkd.in/e5naqWmV

Our community is making progress slowly but surely and safely. Here is the latest update on western North Carolina, including Asheville and Buncombe County: ?? Many businesses and restaurants are reopening as widespread power and water service return. Please let us know your business status here: https://lnkd.in/dTGmDErf ?? The Asheville Regional Airport is open and operating. ?? Biltmore has announced plans to welcome guests on November 2. ? Areas of the Pisgah Ranger District have reopened, and Grandfather Mountain will reopen tomorrow, October 23. ?? Downtown Asheville infrastructure remained largely untouched by the storm, allowing shops and restaurants to reopen, some with limited operations. ?? There are areas that need more time and support. We are mindful that high impact areas—including Biltmore Village, Swannanoa, and parts of the River Arts District—have a much longer road ahead, so travel to these areas is not advised. We are here for our neighbors throughout western North Carolina. ?? Visit North Carolina will continue to update its travel advisory map to reflect the conditions of each community. https://lnkd.in/dcCDceJ9 Our deeply rooted, creative community needs support from those inspired to visit our majestic region. We are asking visitors to please be patient, gentle, and respectful as they plan their return???? #AlwaysAsheville

Join us for the free Concert for Carolina Official Community Viewing Event ?? Thomas Wolfe Auditorium ?? October 26 ? Doors: 4 p.m. | Live stream: 5 p.m. ?? Register for free here: https://lnkd.in/eQbFxPwY The live Concert for Carolina may be sold out, but we are bringing the experience to you! Join us for a powerful evening of community, connection, and music, including a star-studded lineup of artists coming together to support the communities affected by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. A few local restaurants will provide small bites from 5–7 p.m., and artists affected by Helene will vend their work during the show. We look forward to seeing you there.

Local, independent businesses are the heart of the Asheville area—home to growers who are artists and artists whose work grows. Thought leaders and thought provokers, musicians and storytellers, entrepreneurs and educators, foodies and beer lovers, hippies, healers, adventurers, creators and innovators. We craft and brew and paint and carve, handcrafted by real hands. Now, those hands need a helping hand. And a hug. This weekend, Explore Asheville, in partnership with Asheville Downtown Association, Go Local Asheville, ArtsAVL, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, ASHEVILLE INDEPENDENT RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION INC, WNC: MADE X MTNS, Mountain BizWorks, and JD Ellison and Company, launched the Love Asheville From Afar page. This page gathers shop links and direct donation platforms for Buncombe County businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Businesses located in or selling from Buncombe County can participate by completing this submission form: https://lnkd.in/gFFiH_V2 Your support can make a real difference—shop local or donate to help rebuild: https://lnkd.in/gA9Mmq39

Luke Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings, and James Taylor will headline?Concert For Carolina, a special benefit show presented by Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, on Saturday, October 26 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Tar Heel State is a profoundly special place for all four artists. It is where Combs, Church, and Taylor grew up and first discovered their musical interests and where Strings has performed many times over his career and holds an extra special place in his heart. The event will feature artists who have yet to be announced. The group mobilized and initiated outreach to organize an event aimed at raising critical funds for the relief efforts following Hurricane Helene's significant devastation. The Teppers, owners of the Carolina Panthers and Bank of America Stadium, generously offered the stadium to make the benefit concert a reality. Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority have pledged $1 million as the presenting sponsor from their annual marketing budget. “We’ve been honored and uplifted by the outpouring of care and concern from across the country,” said President and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. “Through this tragedy, the heart of hospitality has been a beacon of light. We are proud to contribute one million dollars to this effort knowing millions more will flow back to communities in need thanks to Luke Combs and Eric Church.” All proceeds from the event, including sponsorships, will be split 50/50 between Combs and Church’s Chief Cares Foundation to administer to organizations of their choosing in support of relief efforts across the Carolinas and the Southeast. Tickets go on sale today, Thursday, October 10, at 10 AM ET. Full details can be found at?www.concertforcarolina.com. For those unable to attend the concert but still looking to support, donations can be made now to The North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund or to various organizations listed on the website.

Communities in Western North Carolina, including ours, are recovering after the devastating floods and aftermath of Hurricane Helene. While our downtown, lodging, and much of our hospitality infrastructure fared well, most areas are still without power and water service, and early stages of recovery are ongoing in parts of our beloved community. The Asheville Regional Airport is open and operating, and critical highways like I-40 East and I-26 are now accessible, making it easier to mobilize support. Right now, the focus is on taking care of our residents and workers and servicing the many first responders who have answered the call from all over the country—helping those impacted and addressing the economic and emotional toll at hand. As our community continues to assess and address the damage, we are witnessing countless acts of kindness, support, and resilience among our neighbors. Despite widespread cell service disruptions, power and water outages, and impassable roads, able businesses have opened their doors to provide food and water to residents. Neighbors have checked in on neighbors. Hospitality businesses are serving first responders with food and shelter. We are grateful for the first responders working around the clock and have been heartened by the calls of love and support from all corners of the country. We will continue to find strength in each other, the deeply rooted communities of Western North Carolina, and our unceasing resolve to rebuild. People have always been drawn to Asheville and the mountains of Western North Carolina. We know many of you care deeply and want to support our community. If you want to contribute, consider donating to local recovery efforts such as: - Donate?directly to The Salvation Army of Asheville,?MANNA FoodBank - Asheville NC?, and?United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County.? - To donate bulk items, email:?[email protected].? - To volunteer, email:?[email protected]. We’re seeing progress, slow as it may be. While travel may not be possible at the moment, please keep Asheville in your heart. When the time is right, we’ll be ready to welcome you back with open arms. Until then, thank you for your love and support as we rebuild. Always, Asheville #AlwaysAsheville?#AshevilleStrong?#HeleneRecovery?#WNCRecovery https://lnkd.in/gwApxU7F

A message from President & CEO of Explore Asheville and the BCTDA Vic Isley: Good afternoon, thanks for the messages of care and concern that have made it through and those that haven’t about Asheville. There is a lot of work ahead of our community and region. We are hurting AND we are strong. The two pictures are from earlier today. One from the rooftop of the new Moxy hotel downtown taken by me AND one from The Radical Hotel in the River Arts District taken by Tyler Thompson. Many of our Explore Asheville team we have heard are safe and accounted for, others we have not been able to reach yet. If you are able to connect please let us know you are safe by dropping a note in the comments please. ???? If you haven’t heard from loved ones or teammates, there is a near communication failure with power, phone service and internet out. There has been some wifi available outside of the Moxy, but that sidewalk has been pretty crowded all day. I have heard there’s wifi available near fire stations like the new one on Broadway because they have towers there. That is unconfirmed though. The hotels I’ve been able to connect with don’t have power or water so are not able to accommodate guests or residents seeking shelter. The Ag Center near the airport is at near capacity with 400 people. Possibly AB Tech opening up to act as a shelter later today. The airport is open and operating with generator power but most flights cancelled today. Please check with your airline if you are trying to fly in or out of AVL. Downtown is mostly unscathed with some sidewalk trees down. Old Europe was open and the Barkdega had a sign saying it would open at 11am. You can see the River Arts District has a long way to go. Harris Teeter on Merrimon was open yesterday and today with long lines outside. Cash only, one in and one out. Long, long waits at two gas stations on Merrimon. If you are a part of the travel and hospitality family in Asheville and Buncombe County, please drop a status update in the comments below. Please be patient, kind, pray and take care of one another. Always, Asheville xoxo