Haywood County Tourism Development Authority

02/28/2025

We had 17 media spots nationwide this week, thanks to hosting travel expert, Jeanenne Tornatore! 🎥 She highlighted our five mountain communities—featuring Haywood County as a top spring break destination! ⛰️🌷 Check out one of her segments here:

02/27/2025

HCTDA Grant Applications Are NOW OPEN! 🚨

Grant applications for the Fiscal Year 25-26 cycle are live! These grants, funded by room tax revenue, support initiatives that attract visitors, drive overnight stays, and boost economic impact in Haywood County.

Grant Categories & Deadlines:
📌 Legacy Event Sponsorship – March 27
📌 Tourism Promotion Grant – March 27
📌 Tourism Capital Grant – July 18

Grant Workshops – Learn More & Apply!
📅 Feb 27 at 3PM & March 4 at 9AM
📍 Visit Haywood Welcome Center, 91 N. Lakeshore Dr., Lake Junaluska, NC
📩 RSVP: [email protected]

📖Learn More: haywoodtda.com/grants

02/25/2025

🎥✨Big things happening in Haywood! Travel expert Jeanenne Tornatore is here this week, broadcasting LIVE from Springdale Resort to 17 media rooms nationwide! She’s sharing to potential travelers why Haywood County is the ultimate Spring Break destination. Can’t wait to see the final coverage!

02/25/2025

🎙️ Our very own Amie Newsome was on the Smoky Mountain Echo Podcast! Go check her out ➡️

The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority has officially rebranded to Visit Haywood! But what does this mean for our community? 🤔

🎙️ In our latest episode of Smoky Mountain Echo, we’re talking with Amie Newsome, Visit Haywood's Social Media and Content Manager. We discuss:
✅ Why they made the switch to 'Visit Haywood'
✅ What it means for local tourism
✅ How the public has responded so far
✅ Exciting new marketing strategies

Plus, we’re recapping Ice Fest, upcoming events you won’t want to miss, and how Hurricane Helene impacted tourism in Haywood County.

🔊 Tune in now and get the inside scoop: https://smokymountainecho.podbean.com

02/19/2025

The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority’s 10-year master plan is not just for visitors and the tourism industry.

02/19/2025

On this , we celebrate the amazing Visit Haywood team and our incredible Haywood County partners for their dedication to making our community the best place to live and visit! 🌄💙

Did you know? The first destination organization was founded on February 19, 1896, making today the perfect time to recognize the professionals who drive tourism, events, and community impact.

From supporting local businesses to welcoming visitors from around the world, we love what we do! 🙌

02/17/2025

Our brand-new Visitor Guides have officially arrived! 🎉📖

If you’re a local business, swing by the Welcome Center to grab a box (or two!) and help your guests explore everything our beautiful area has to offer!

📅Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9AM–5PM
📍91 N Lakeshore Dr, Lake Junaluska, NC

02/17/2025

📢 Community Input Needed! 📢

Join the Southwestern Commission Council of Governments for a Public Comment Session on how North Carolina will use $1.65 billion in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to rebuild from Hurricane Helene. Your voice matters in shaping the recovery efforts for our community!

🗓 February 21, 2025
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Haywood County Historic Courthouse
🏛 215 N. Main Street, Waynesville, NC 28786

This is your chance to help determine how these funds will be allocated to support local recovery and rebuilding. Don’t miss it!

🔹 For more info, contact [email protected]

02/14/2025

🚨 Grant Workshops Are Coming Up! 🚨

These workshops will provide potential applicants with essential information about the grant program, including new guidelines, eligibility criteria, and best practices for submitting a competitive application. All grants must align with the newly adopted Destination Master Plan and brand standards, with preference given to applications that strongly reflect these priorities.

For the 2025-2026 cycle, the HCTDA will offer three distinct grant categories:

1. Legacy Event Sponsorship - Application Deadline: March 27
2. Tourism Promotion Grant - Application Deadline: March 27
3. Tourism Capital Grant - Application Deadline: July 18

Workshop Details:

📅 February 27 at 3PM
📅 March 4 at 9AM
📍 Visit Haywood Welcome Center | 91 N Lakeshore Dr. Lake Junaluska, NC
📩 RSVP: [email protected]

Don't miss this chance to learn & apply!

Send a message to learn more

02/11/2025

Regional WNC Business Survey 📢

Your voice matters! Help shape relief and recovery efforts in Haywood County and beyond by taking the WNC Helene Impacts Business Response Survey.

📝 Take the survey here: www.ashevillechamber.org/helenesurvey

🎉 Respondents will have the option to enter a drawing for a $500 Visa gift card.

02/06/2025

📣 Calling Haywood County Businesses:

Please take our brief Visit Haywood Ice Fest Business Survey and help us make improvements for 2026.

Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/68K3P7K

02/04/2025

Calling All Haywood County Restaurants! 🍔

Get ready for Fat Burger Month (March 15-April 6), a mouthwatering celebration of the best burgers in the region! This is your chance to showcase your signature burgers (or get creative with a new menu item), attract new customers, and be part of a county-wide promotion.

Want to participate? Sign up by February 10 using the form below:
🔗 https://form.jotform.com/250214863801047

02/03/2025

📢 Was your small business impacted by Hurricane Helene?

Consider applying for a grant from the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative II. WNCSBI grants can help with costs like payroll, pay operating expenses, damage repair, cleanup, and business-related rent or mortgage.

⏰ Applications are due by 11:59pm, February 21, 2025.
Click the link to verify eligibility and apply!

Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative II Welcome to the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative II Was your small business harmed by Hurricane Helene? The Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative II is here to help. The initiative is partnering with local Community Develo...

02/03/2025

We did it! Visit Haywood Ice Fest Weekend 2025 is officially in the books!

Huge shoutout to our small but mighty Visit Haywood team for making it all happen. 🙌 Special shout-out to Hayley - our organizing queen 👑, Corrina for her leadership & endless hours at the festival grounds, and Amie, Ashley, Alycin & Mark for stepping in wherever needed all weekend long.

Big thanks to the husbands & partners who braved the rain and chaos with us, and of course, Joya for holding down the fort at the Welcome Center!

And a massive thank you to our incredible volunteers and board members who lended a helping hand.

Couldn’t have pulled this off without every one of you! 💪

01/30/2025

01/30/2025

The Visit Haywood Ice Fest weekend is finally here! ❄️🎉 Get ready for a fun-filled time in Haywood County all weekend long.

Check out the maps below for the Ice Stroll & Ice Festival to help you and your guests navigate the events ⬇️⬇️⬇️