Suffering

BY BARBARA DURR AN ASHEVILLE WATCHDOG REPORT

A drop in Asheville tourism is hurting local businesses across the board, from shops and restaurants to hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and even short-term rentals, as owners and managers face declining revenue and uncertainty about their finances.

“We’re definitely suffering right now,” said Brandi Howard, manager for the Mount Inspiration company of three gift and clothing shops featuring Asheville mementos. “As far as we’re concerned, tourist season hasn’t really started.”

In one of her strategically located shops right on Biltmore Avenue downtown, the sales for a recent full day had not broken $100.

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority’s latest figures, reflecting April tourism, show a decline in total lodging sales of 11%. It also estimates that credit card spending by tourists fell by $300,000 between March through May this year, or $7 million compared with $7.3 million in 2022.

Tourism accounted for $2.6 billion in visitor spending in 2021, according to the figures from the TDA’s 2021-22 annual report. That included $915 million in workforce income, 27,000 jobs and $238 million in state and local taxes. The 2022 figures will not be available until next year, said TDA spokeswoman Ashley Greenstein

“Usually, it’s like someone flips a switch, and it’s game on,” said Will Gay, the owner of the Diamond Brand Outdoors shop on Biltmore Avenue, regarding the start of July, the second biggest month for tourism after October. “This year, it’s like someone forgot to flip the switch.”

For his store specializing in outdoor clothing and gear, Gay estimates business is off between 10% and 20%.

“Tourism and hospitality have been a part of this vibrant community for generations. A healthy visitor economy helps support the wide array of creative experiences and businesses we enjoy as residents every day,” said Vic Isley, CEO & president of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority.

“Nearly 70% of all visitor spending occurs in establishments outside of local lodging. So, we are hearing that business is inconsistent from