Destination Management & Stewardship

At Explore Asheville, our commitment extends far beyond marketing. We are dedicated to the thoughtful stewardship of our vibrant community, ensuring tourism enriches the lives of residents and preserves the unique character of our home. 

This mission comes to life through direct community investments, including the Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF) and Legacy Investment From Tourism (LIFT) Fund, which channel visitor dollars into transformative capital community projects. By strategically sponsoring festivals and cultural events, implementing programs that foster local talent—like our scholarship and internship initiatives—and improving shared spaces through our wayfinding signage program, we are working in partnership with the community to build a more sustainable, connected, and prosperous future for all who call Asheville home.

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority leverages visitor dollars to enhance Asheville and Buncombe County’s distinct character and quality of place, benefitting both residents and visitors through the Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF), and the Legacy Investment from Tourism (LIFT) Fund. Allocating one-third of the lodging tax collected from overnight stays, the authority funds strategic community projects in partnership with local governments and nonprofit organizations. These investments focus on preserving historical assets, revitalizing cultural venues, creating new experiences, and enhancing natural attractions. 

Learn About TPDF

Contributing to the financial viability and long-term sustainability of festivals and cultural events, the Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund and Event Sponsorships stimulate new events and expand existing ones that are enjoyed by residents and visitors.  

Learn About the Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund

The Explore Asheville Wayfinding Signage Program encompasses more than 400 wayfinding signs and elements assisting guests and residents traveling in Buncombe County while fostering our community’s identity and sense of place.  

A thriving workforce is essential for our community’s livelihood with one out of every seven jobs supporting the visitor economy. That’s why the Explore Asheville Workforce Programs were created — to enrich the lives of residents through educational opportunities and foster growth and advancement in the tourism, travel, and hospitality industry, or related fields.