Explore Asheville

The second video in our Mountainwater Films series shines on spotlight on #Recovery In times of crisis, Asheville comes together. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, strangers became neighbors, and neighbors became family. Businesses worked tirelessly to reopen, fueled by the support of neighbors near and far. Their resilience and dedication are nothing short of inspiring—and now it’s our turn to show up for them. Plan your return trip with heart, shop local, spread the word, and if you can, donate to the Always Asheville Fund to help businesses continue to recover. Every bit of support makes a difference. Donate at https://lnkd.in/gdPFf2ka #BePartoftheComeback

Our team joined forces with Mountainwater Films to bring our community's story of resilience to life. Through three short films, we chronicled how residents and business owners weathered Hurricane Helene's fury and emerged stronger together. These intimate portraits of Appalachian spirit, grit, and gumption reached millions during the nationally televised Stars Servin' Up Love for Asheville benefit tournament, ultimately sharing our community's journey from devastation to hope. We hope you enjoy Part One: Helene Hurricane Helene changed everything in an instant. But Asheville is built on resilience. This community comes together—always. Now is the time to stand with Asheville’s small businesses—the artists, chefs, brewers, and makers who give this place its soul. The #AlwaysAshevilleFund is here to help them recover. #BePartoftheComeback and donate at https://lnkd.in/gdPFf2ka

Thank you to the nearly 350 community leaders and tourism industry partners who joined us this week for our first partner event of 2025, #TheYearAhead: The Road to Recovery and Revival! The event underscored a pivotal theme: seizing this moment of recovery as an opportunity to build back stronger, more sustainable, and more resilient than before! The third annual gathering began with welcoming remarks from Asheville City Mayor Esther Manheimer and Buncombe County Commission Chair Amanda Edwards, CFRE. Explore Asheville President & CEO Victoria Isley spoke to the power of travel, the measurable economic benefits that visitors bring to our community, and the economic realities facing the region. #HoodHuggersInternational, Biltmore, RIVER ARTS DISTRICT ARTISTS INC, #CooksforCarolina, #Soulshine, and #StarsServinUpLove were honored during a special #AshevilleSuperstarAward ceremony for their commitment to immediate and ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. A recap of the event as well as inspiring and insightful conversations led by local and national experts Lisa Raleigh, PhD, Eddie Dewey, Eric Oberg, Lew Bleiweis, Tim Anderson, Tracy Swartout, Scott Peacock, Walt Leger, and Dodie Stephens on sustainability and resilience, transportation and infrastructure, and recovery and revival can be found here: https://lnkd.in/edHXZEvm

Yesterday, Stars Servin' Up Love for Asheville raised over $1 MILLION for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, bringing together tennis legends #AndreAgassi, #AndyRoddick, #JessicaPegula, and #EmmaNavarro alongside amazing celebrities #JeffProbst, #MichaelKosta, #PeteWentz, and #EsaiMorales! The #alwaysashevillefund, United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, and the Asheville Tennis Association will receive the funds for post-Hurricane Helene recovery and relief. And we're not done yet - the #OnlineAuction is live until Thursday, Feb 6 at 10p m ET at https://lnkd.in/eXCTSUvn From the stars to the volunteers who contributed their time to make this meaningful and fun benefit event a reality, we are heartened by the continued outpouring of love for our region. Explore Asheville is here to support our creative community and have more events in the works to bring to our Blue Ridge mountain region. Thank you to our partners at Stars Servin' Up Love for Asheville, Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission, City of Asheville's Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville, Asheville Tennis Association, and all the local fans who showed up to support WNC's recovery. This is what a deep-rooted and resilient community looks like! Photo Credit: Chelsea Cronkrit

Yesterday, the Buncombe County Tourism Authority Board of Directors approved a budget amendment due to the devastating impacts from Helene, an estimated $11.5 million shortfall in lodging tax revenue, resulting in a reduced operating budget of $25.7 million for FY25. After several years of accumulating a contingency fund balance, the authority is fortunate to have the financial resources to invest in marketing and messaging to aid in the comeback of Asheville and Buncombe County’s economy. When Helene hit, Explore Asheville ceased all paid advertising for a month and shifted efforts toward meeting the immediate needs of our community. Through the establishment of the #AlwaysAshevilleFund, we have awarded more than $1.53 million to nearly 400 local travel & hospitality businesses within 4 months of the storm. These funds and the return of visitor spending are expected to increase through more inspiring events and promotions, creating a drumbeat to spring. Now, more than ever, we continue to shine a spotlight on Asheville’s people and places — and invest our way to recovery and revival. Takeaways from the January 2025 board meeting include: 🤝 Welcomed Asheville Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley as an ex-officio non-voting member; 📄Buncombe County presented a series of financial reports and clarified questions about the collection of their administrative fee; 📊End-of-year lodging performance report detailing year-over-year hotel and vacation rental metrics, as well as performance in comparable markets; 🪄Highlights of Q2 Business Development, Marketing, Partnership, and Culture efforts and achievements towards Explore Asheville's Strategic Imperatives; 💼 Business development performance report on the first half of FY25. Read the full recap of the January BCTDA board meeting here: https://lnkd.in/ec2-btbZ

Secure your spot now - new City-led resource session tacked onto The Year Ahead: The Road to Recovery and Revival! Join Explore Asheville, the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, and travel & hospitality colleagues as we reflect on the remarkable progress our community has achieved together and explore new ways our industry can collaborate to re-envision a stronger, more vibrant Asheville and Buncombe County. 🎤Three in-depth panel discussions will lead the conversation on topics including economic recovery and resilience, sustainability, and transportation infrastructure, featuring local area leaders and national experts from New Orleans and Washington D.C. 🏆We’ll also honor the 12th Annual Explore Asheville Superstars, whose unwavering resilience and community-minded dedication supported Asheville and Buncombe County through unprecedented times. 🔎Following the program, City of Asheville Community Development Division Manager James Shelton will lead a business resource session providing an opportunity for business owners to learn more about the CDBG-DR program, ask questions, and voice ongoing disaster and recovery related issues they are facing. Come early or stick around for networking with industry colleagues while enjoying tasty treats and seasonal beverages from Rabbit Hole and Summit Coffee. Click here to reserve your spot: http://bit.ly/4fW3YDF

Have you seen our latest commercial inspired by Eric Church's heartfelt ode to his home state? Debuting at the top of the new year and in the wake of Hurricane Helene, the spot aims to encourage travelers to return to the Appalachian area for vacations and events to support the many small, creative businesses and the people of the region. As part of a broader “Be Part of the Comeback” campaign, the TV spots feature Church’s song “#Carolina" alongside images of open doors and welcoming faces as local creators, makers, and businesses call visitors to come back to Asheville with heart. The roots of this partnership began during #ConcertForCarolina, presented by Explore Asheville. The star-studded benefit show, headlined by Luke Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings, and James Taylor, raised more than $24.5 million for Hurricane Helene relief efforts on October 26 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte. Help us share this spot https://lnkd.in/eHdaSQqN by using the hashtags #bepartofthecomeback and #carolinacallingyouhome

When Hurricane Helene swept through our beloved mountain city, she tested our spirit—but didn't break it. Explore Asheville is launching two special offerings this February aimed at reigniting connection and inspiring wanderlust. #DateNightswithAsheville 28 Days of Date Ideas, Events and Deals Looking to plan the perfect date? Asheville has you covered—no matter what kind of connection you’re celebrating. From romantic evenings with your sweetheart to dog-friendly adventures or even solo self-care dates, we’ve curated the best itineraries, deals, and events to help you find your spark this February. Pair that with unbelievable Hotel Weeks discounts, and you've got the recipe for a perfect Asheville date night — or maybe 28! Plan your perfect date here: https://lnkd.in/eDedvQk9 #AshevilleHotelWeeks 25%+ Off Your Stay in February Take advantage of the most significant savings of the year during Asheville Hotel Weeks! For the entire month, enjoy 25%+ off stays at some of the city’s most welcoming accommodations—from boutique hotels in downtown Asheville to cozy inns with mountain views. Whether you’re seeking a quiet retreat, a food adventure, or a cultural escape, Asheville Hotel Weeks offers big savings that make February the best time to visit Asheville. Find hotel discounts here: https://lnkd.in/eDE4iSZu Welcome back to Asheville! #BePartoftheComeback

This week, locally owned and loved restaurants received a timely winter boost to rebuild and retain staff. One hundred thousand dollars in grants were awarded to 10 small, independent restaurants from the #cooksforcarolina dinner series through Explore Asheville’s #alwaysashevillefund! The 13 curated dinners taking place last November and December across the Crescent City, were organized by more than 20 esteemed New Orleans chefs to provide crucial financial assistance to small, independent restaurants in Asheville and Buncombe County. The series highlighted the connection between the two Southern culinary destinations, featuring collaborations between New Orleans chefs and North Carolina culinary talents Jacob Sessoms, Peyton Barrell, Brian Canipelli, Trevor Payne, and Matt Dawes. Local participating restaurants included The Bull and Beggar, Baby Bull, Gourmand, Cucina24, Table, All Day Darling, Tall Johns, and Good Hot Fish received $10,000 grants, in addition to The Bush Farmhouse in Black Mountain and Zella’s Deli in Swannanoa for their hardship. Through the Always Asheville Fund and the Cooks for Carolina initiative, Explore Asheville has now allocated more than $1.3 million in emergency grants to local businesses, helping preserve the creative spirit of our deeply rooted mountain community and assisting in our long-term recovery!

Get your tickets for The Year Ahead: The Road to Recovery and Revival. In the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastating impact on Western North Carolina, 2024 tested our community's resilience in ways we never imagined. In our darkest hours the heart of local travel and hospitality has been on full display for our region and nation. As we gather for The Year Ahead, we invite you to reflect on the remarkable progress we've achieved together, while exploring new ways our industry can collaborate to not only rebuild, but re-envision an even stronger, more vibrant Asheville and Buncombe County in 2025. Three in-depth panel discussions will focus on topics including economic recovery and resilience, sustainability, and transportation infrastructure, featuring local area leaders and national experts from New Orleans and Washington D.C. We’ll also honor the 12th Annual Explore Asheville Superstars, whose unwavering resilience and community-minded dedication supported Asheville and Buncombe County through unprecedented times. Come early or stick around for networking with industry colleagues while enjoying tasty seasonal beverages from Summit Coffee! Join us in looking ahead towards recovery and revival! RSVP here: http://bit.ly/4fW3YDF