Partner Guidelines

Ferguson Auditorium @ A-B Tech

Let's collaborate

Your Guide to Becoming a Partner

Our local partners are the heart and soul of the authentic Asheville area experience we share with visitors from around the globe. We believe that the best partnerships are built on collaboration and mutual success.

These guidelines help explain what types of businesses we're able to feature on ExploreAsheville.com. As a destination marketing organization funded through occupancy tax, we focus on supporting businesses located in Buncombe County that welcome visitors to our area. The guidelines below help ensure we can effectively showcase the diverse businesses that make this region such a special destination.

Whether you're curious about partnering with us or want to understand what type of businesses we feature, these guidelines will help clarify the process. They are designed to maximize your visibility, enhance our shared marketing efforts, and create a valuable resource for travelers planning their journey to this vibrant community. We look forward to working with you to showcase all that makes this region so special.

Partnership Guidelines

Reciprocal Links

We ask that partners listed on ExploreAsheville.com put a reciprocal link on their website. The reciprocal link benefits each respective site by:

Enhancing partnership quality through increased site visibility
Boosting SEO, site traffic, conversions, and engagement
Improving customer experience on your page by providing direct access to related resources

For instructions on adding a reciprocal link, click here.

Businesses with Multiple Locations

Businesses with additional locations outside of Buncombe County must have a landing page on its business website dedicated solely to promoting its Buncombe County location. This page should not include information or links to other locations.

Editorial Content

In all cases, Explore Asheville reserves the right to determine eligibility for inclusion on ExploreAsheville.com, in the Official Asheville Visitor Guide, or in any other promotional materials or online media.

Listing Updates

Please note that Explore Asheville may revise or update any listing when the team sees fit.

Discretion Policy

The final decision on partnership eligibility is at the discretion of Explore Asheville.

Who Are Our Partners?

Explore Asheville partners with businesses in Buncombe County that provide services or experiences to visitors, such as:

Attraction/tour providers
Retailers/shops
Arts/cultural institutions
Artists/makers/galleries
Music venues
Spas/wellness businesses
Food & drink/food tours
Farms/farmers markets
Places to stay, including hostels/campgrounds
Wedding/meeting/event vendors
Motorcoach accommodations
Sports facilities
Transportation/group travel services
Recreation/nature outfitters

Category-Specific Guidelines

Please review the guidelines for partner categories with specific requirements; note that not all categories have specific guidelines (ex: retail, arts/galleries).

Accommodations

(Includes bed & breakfasts, inns, hotels, motels, resorts, cabins, cottages, villas, vacation rentals, and hostels)

Buncombe County accommodations that collect occupancy tax and have at least 5 rental units are eligible for a free business listing on ExploreAsheville.com.
Companies representing accommodation booking services or lodging associations in multiple counties (e.g. vacation rentals) must create/provide a landing page that exclusively promotes Buncombe County accommodations. Links to non-Buncombe County properties should not appear in the navigation.
Internet-based enterprises primarily focused on booking real-time online accommodation reservations are not eligible for partnership.

Attractions/Activities/Tours

(Includes guided tours, adventure sports, recreation outfitters, museums, historic and nature attractions, indoor games and entertainment)

Attractions deemed popular day trip destinations from Buncombe County may be eligible for a business listing. If you represent an iconic attraction located outside of Buncombe County that you feel should be considered, please reach out to McKenzie Provost at mprovost@exploreasheville.com.

Food & Drink

(Includes craft beverage establishments, wineries, bars, bakeries, food adventures, farms, farmers markets, and food trucks)

Fast-food-chain restaurants (e.g. McDonald’s, Chipotle, etc.) are not eligible for listing.
If a restaurant is located inside of a lodging facility that does not collect occupancy tax, that restaurant is not eligible for listing.

Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofit organizations that provide a regular experience or service to visitors of Buncombe County may be eligible for a listing.
If your nonprofit organization primarily serves the local population, but host visitor-friendly events, we suggest submitting these events to the Explore Asheville Event Calendar instead of applying for a partnership.

Businesses without Storefronts

(Includes food trucks, musicians/DJs, photographers/videographers, event and wedding service providers, attraction-oriented apps)

Businesses that offer services to groups and leisure travelers may be eligible for a business listing.
Mobile apps specific to Buncombe County that meet the initial listing guidelines and provide a specific service or attraction-oriented features—such as interpretive information or enhanced visitor experiences—may qualify for a business listing.
For Buncombe County web-based retail shops, we suggest applying for the Explore Asheville Gift guide instead of applying for partnership.

Wedding & Meeting Service Providers

(Includes music & entertainment, photographers & videographers, caterers, special services, event planners, transportation, florists, officiants, beauty & spa services, rental services, venues & meeting space, group activities, and group dining)

Companies offering group services must create/provide a landing page that exclusively promotes their offerings for large groups such as meetings, weddings, or conventions to qualify for a listing.

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