TOURism management & investment plan
Client: Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority Category: Public Engagement, Urban Design, Community Planning, Economic Development
PGAV worked with the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority to create a strategic plan for the management of tourism and investment in community assets in Asheville and Buncombe County. This project included a robust market analysis and extensive community engagement, bringing together public entities, tourism officials, and the broader public to coalesce around strategic priorities to guide tourism growth and improve quality of life in the region.
The first phase of the project was a data collection effort geared toward understanding the existing conditions and local market in Asheville. This data looked at everything from climate resiliency to the lodging market to low-wages in the service industry. The understanding gained in this phase helped to frame the impact tourism was having on the County, both from a revenue standpoint and considering quality of life implications. The four-month market analysis effort resulted in a comprehensive report and public presentation that painted a picture of what is happening in the County, serving as a baseline for the rest of the project.
The planning process continued through 2019 and into the Spring of 2020, creating tourism management policies and urban design products that aim to resolve identified tourism-related tension in the community while also adding to the quality of life for residents. The planning effort resulted in a strategic framework for the development of community assets, leveraging existing resources, and providing a plan that allows the community to sustainably grow in the long-term.
