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TDA presents 10‑year master plan to Haywood County commissioners
Summary
Haywood County Tourism Development Authority presented a community‑driven, 10‑year master plan focused on marketing, product development, outdoor stewardship and organizational capacity, with goals to attract higher‑value visitors, address seasonality and develop family‑friendly and indoor offerings.
The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority on Feb. 3 presented a 10‑year master plan intended to manage growth while protecting the county's natural and cultural assets. Corina, the TDA director, told commissioners the plan was created through a year of community engagement involving focus groups, visitor surveys and a steering committee and is designed to guide work through 2035.
"Haywood County will be renowned as the authentic destination in the Great Smoky And Blue Ridge Mountains, offering diverse year round experiences while preserving our natural and cultural heritage for future generation generations," Corina said, reading the plan's vision. She said nearly 1,300 visitors and 330 community residents participated in surveys used to shape objectives.
The plan is organized around four pillars: marketing to attract higher‑value visitors and emphasize quality over quantity; product development to expand countywide attractions and family‑friendly offerings; outdoor recreation and destination stewardship; and strengthening the TDA's organizational capacity to lead projects. Corina highlighted opportunities around the former Canton mill site and said the plan recommends co‑developing an emergency communications plan with county emergency services as a near‑term priority.
Commissioners praised the plan and offered local examples—riverwalks, museums and assets that serve residents year‑round as well as visitors. Corina also showed occupancy tax trends and noted the storm 'Helene' depressed collections in September–November, with November collections reported as a modest decline. The TDA director said the agency will propose three grant programs (legacy event sponsorship, advertising/marketing and a new capital grant) and seek to adopt grant guidelines at the board's February meeting.
The presentation concluded with commissioners stressing that tourism projects should benefit residents and visitors alike; no formal board action was required on the plan itself at this meeting.
