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Cashiers fights for bigger piece of funding pie

The debate over the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority budget was bumped up another notch last week when dozens of business owners and members of the Cashiers community flooded a budget meeting demanding more money for the Cashiers visitor center.

Balsam Lake high and dry as tourist season hits full stride

Repairs to the dam at Balsam Lake in the Nantahala National Forest have been delayed because of high creek levels, leaving the popular lake drained as the Western North Carolina tourist season gets under way.

Serendipitous beach trip

out natcornConscientious, detailed vacation planning; anticipating the “what ifs” and having contingency plans; route planning and hashing out all the logistics can surely make that extended vacation a lot smoother and more relaxing. But sometimes that out of the blue, spur-of-the-moment retreat can be just what the doctor ordered.

Ghost Town opening delayed again: Park hammering out ride inspection glitches

After two false starts, Ghost Town in the Sky theme park in Maggie Valley remains closed this week.

Novice Jackson tourism board flounders over budget

The Cashiers Chamber of Commerce leaders claim they have been slighted their fair share of visitor center funding from the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority.

Balsam Range hitting for the home team in Haywood tourism messaging

Members of the nationally acclaimed bluegrass band Balsam Range are now the bona fide ambassadors of Haywood County.

Ghost Town falls short of summer opening target

Ghost Town in the Sky did not open to much fanfare last weekend because, simply put, it didn’t open.

Maggie’s Achilles’ Heel: lack of curb appeal

coverMaggie Valley’s slow and steady decline as a tourist destination comes down to aesthetics, a consultant hired to assess Maggie Valley’s economic challenges told town leaders last week.  

Maggie Valley’s appearance has declined and not kept up with the more sophisticated tastes of today’s tourists, according to his assessment. 

Jackson ‘Up to Good’ as it ‘Play(s) On’ with tourism branding messages

What’s it going to be for Jackson County — Just Do It; Got Milk?; A Little Dab’ll Do Ya? 

That is the $50,000 question as tourism leaders edge closer to an official marketing message and tourism brand used to lure visitors and their wallets to vacation in Jackson.

Thanks to a mighty big carrot, Swain sets its sights on the future

fr seasonalOut of all the problems each county faces, how do you one narrow them down to focus on just three?

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