News and Updates

Get the latest updates, industry insights, and important announcements impacting our state's vibrant hospitality sector. Our goals is to keep you informed about  the policies, trends, and initiatives shaping North Carolina's travel and tourism landscape.

This Charlotte asset is worth $37 billion to state economy, study finds

February 21, 2025

Charlotte Business Journal January 3rd, 2026 Charlotte Douglas International Airport generated $36.6 billion worth of economic activity in 2023, accounting for 42% of all aviation-related output across the state, according to a new study. The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation published the findings on Friday.  The state conducts the study, “North Carolina: The State of…

Lenovo Center development plan advances, despite safety concerns from Cardinal Gibbons

February 21, 2025

WRAL News 2/11/25 The long-anticipated development project around Raleigh’s Lenovo Center moved one step closer to becoming reality Tuesday when the city’s Planning Commission unanimously approved the site’s rezoning application. But dozens of students and leaders from Cardinal Gibbons, the private Catholic high school that sits across the street, attended the meeting to voice concerns…

Asheville, Buncombe hotel sales declined 74% in October, 57% in November after Helene

January 31, 2025

Asheville Citizens Times January 30th, 2025 The full impacts on Buncombe County’s tourism industry — which buoys many regional employers, restaurants and attractions — came into focus during the Jan. 29 Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority Board meeting, with the authority providing a clearer image of how deeply lodging sales were impacted by Tropical Storm…

Raleigh tops Milken Institute ranking of top cities

January 17, 2025

Business NC 1/15/25 Raleigh’s relative affordable housing is a big factor in its jump to the No. 1 spot on the Milken Institute’s rankings of the country’s best-performing cities. Raleigh ranked second in 2023, surging to the top after last year’s top-ranked city, Austin, Texas, slid to sixth. The Raleigh ranking reflects the metropolitan statistical area…

Durham lifts ban on giving tents to homeless amid ‘astronomical’ rise in unsheltered

January 6, 2025

The News & Observer | December 28th, 2024 As wet and cold winter weather settles in, Durham city workers can resume giving tents to people without shelter. Last week, the City Council said it wants HEART workers to be able to hand out tents again, while a broader encampment policy is being worked on. HEART…