2018 marks the 35th anniversary of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority and the first year of operation of Explore Asheville as an independent organization. At its annual meeting BCTDA Chair Jim Muth and Explore Asheville President and CEO Stephanie Brown will provide an overview of this monumental year of change and innovation that has led to record breaking performance.

“Asheville by Design” explores the vision and intentionality that gave shape and character to the Asheville area of today. The program is a partnership that continues a longstanding relationship between Explore Asheville and National Geographic Travel, born out of its appreciation for what Asheville is all about and a continued interest in telling stories that reflect the heart of the destination.

A public hearing is scheduled Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at 9:00 a.m., for the purpose of approving the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority’s FY 2018-19 Operating, Earned Revenue, and Tourism Product Development Fund Administrative budgets. The hearing will be held in the boardroom of the Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau at 27 College Place in Asheville. Click here to review the proposed Budget Ordinance. The budgets will be presented in detail on Wednesday, May 30, at 9:00 a.m., at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting, also at 27 College Place. Please contact Executive Operations Manager Jonna Reiff at jreiff@ExploreAsheville.com or 828-258-6111 with any questions.

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) announced today that it will provide $4.6 million to the City of Asheville to complete the southern section of the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP). BCTDA determined that available dollars in the Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF) at the end of the most recent cycle could be instrumental in making up the shortfall to restore the full scope of this important section of the City’s RADTIP project.