Occupancy tax revenues in Blowing Rock have been rising annually since 2009, with an average annual increase of 6.9% over that seven-year period. In 2015, the revenue increase was 10.03%, outperforming the annual average, according to the 2015 Annual Report recently released by the TDA. 2015 was also the sixth consecutive year of gains, according to outgoing TDA Board Chair Kent Tarbutton.
“The Blowing Rock TDA has completed another good year, as the economy and the area’s tourism sector continued to advance in 2015. Even with the lack of snow in the last quarter and the resulting relatively poor December tourism tax numbers, the year as a whole demonstrated that the long-term upward trend is continuing,” Tarbutton said.
The following chart shows annual occupancy tax revenues from 2005 to 2015:
Tarbutton praised the Town’s 10-year plan and the Town Council’s dedication to implementing it. He highlighted the Greenway Trail to Boone, the connection from the Trail to Moses Cone Park and the design enhancements to the Town’s entrances as worthwhile investments that will enhance the Town and its offerings for both guests and citizens. Tarbutton noted that many of the TDA’s 2015 goals were achieved, and he praised the TDA staff for an unprecedented amount of ‘earned media’ during the year.
Other highlights of 2015 in the Annual Report included a large increase in mobile web traffic; hosting the VisitNC TRAC Session; Our State Magazine’s Weekend at Chetola Resort; the inaugural Fall Classic cycling event; being named a “Top Destination on the Rise” by Trip Advisor; and “Best Small Town” designation by Blue Ridge Country magazine.
“I believe that the Highway 321 road improvement project will be paying dividends in 2016 as a new, faster and well-landscaped route from our major markets will result in an increased traffic flow later in the year. As I depart the TDA Board, I thank Blowing Rock’s leaders for their tremendous spirit of cooperation and unity, and for their support on the majority of the tourism related efforts we have made,” Tarbutton said.
The Blowing Rock TDA is a quasi-local government agency funded through a 6% occupancy tax that is paid by visitors who stay in overnight lodgings. The TDA operates the official Blowing Rock Visitor Center in the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum and promotes the Town through marketing, advertising, public and media relations efforts.
For more information on the 2015 TDA Annual Report, contact Tracy Brown at 295.4636 or tbrown@visitblowingrock.com.
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